Antigonish County Agriculture Snapshot April 8 Adam Wile Agricultural Transition Officer
Contact info Adam Wile I act as an industry liaison and project coordinator with groups looking to support or grow agriculture or agricultural opportunities in the province.
Antigonish County Farms Dairy34 Beef4059 Chicken egg42 Chicken broiler13 Horse910 Animal combination128 Fruit and Tree Nut4638 Nursery and Tree Production4239 Hay2720
Antigonish County Farms Total Number Under 10 acres to 69 acres to 129 acres to 179 acres to 239 acres to 399 acres to 559 acres to 759 acres1311
Antigonish County Land in Crops: 19,214 acres Area Owned: 59,398 acres Crops: –Alfalfa: 5,921 acres –Hay: 9,627 acres –Blueberries: 2,088 acres Livestock –Beef: 1,596 –Dairy: 2,527 –Sheep and Lambs: 1,085
Antigonish County Total gross farm receipts 2010 –$26,119,156 Total farm business operating expenses –$21,011,447 Number of employees: 513 Total number of farm operators: 290
Antigonish County Farmer/operator age –Under 35: 20 –35-54: 120 –55 and older: 160 Average age: 54.3
Observed Trends Increase in women operators Increase in small acreage farms Increase in value added primary products Increase in # farmers markets Increased local food movement
Observed Trends Decrease in beef farming Decrease in Hog farming Margins are becoming smaller Aging farming population Climate Change
Provincial Government Initiatives Grass Fed Beef Biomass initiative Select Nova Scotia THINKfarm Farm Energy Many regional initiatives and projects
Regional Staff Eastern: –Adam Wile –Kevin Bekkers Cape Breton: –Adam Wile –Gary Koziel Central: –Michael Kittilsen
THINKfarm
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