THE FARMING INDUSTRY IN CANADA

Christian M , Nick B , Chris S, Tarun B

Types Of Farming

The 4 Natural Systems that Agriculture Depends On

1.Soil:- Soil is a complex substance composed of minerals ,water ,air, bacteria, and humus which is

decaying organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass and pine cones. Humus is the most important factor determining a soil fertility. The amount of humus is determined by the amount of moisture and plant growth. In dry areas , the shortage of moisture limits plant growth. Limited plant growth reduces the amount of humus in the soil. In excessively wet areas, leaching may reduce plant growth and the consequent formation of humus.

- Complex substance composed of minerals,water,air,bacteria, and humus. - Humus is the most important factor determining soil fertility.- They are decaying material.- In dry areas, The shortage of moisture limits plant growth.

2. Biology:Some organisms are highly beneficial to farming. For example,earthworms improve the movement of air through the soil,and bees are essential for pollination. Other organisms are highly destructive. For example, weeds and insect pests reduce the productivity of agriculture.

- Some organisms are highly beneficial to farming.- Earth worms improve movement of air through soil.- Bees are essential to plant pollination.- Other organisms are highly destructive ex: weeds and insect pests reduce

the productivity of agriculture.

3. Topography:Land features have an affect on agriculture productivity. Level,well drained land is generally best for farming. Fertile valleys, such as the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, and deltas, such as the Fraser River delta in British Columbia, are highly productive. On the other land, mountainous or hilly areas that tend to lose topsoil through erosion are less productive. Flat, sandy area with high water tables are also less productive because they are too wet for farming.

- Land features have an affect on agriculture productivity.- A level well drained land is generally best for farming.- Mountains or hilly areas tend to lose top soil through erosion and are less productive.- Flat sandy areas with high water tables are also less productive because they are too wet for

farming.

4.Climate:Two variables in climate contribute to the success of farming. The first is solar energy, or heat; the second is moisture. If you want an orange breakfast, you can't buy Canadian. Canada can't grow citrus crops because there is no place in the country that receives enough heat.

- Heat and moisture are two variables in climate that contribute to the success of farming- Canada can't grow citrus fruit because it is not hot enough - Farmers use other heat measures to grow crops- Farmers will not plant if there is a chance if the new sprouted seedling may freeze.

Heat

How Farming Changed Since The 1880’s

In the 1880s , farmers were able to manage only small farms of about 50 hectares in size. Farm work was accomplished by horses pulling plows and wagons, and by human muscle power for most other chores. Today, one or two people can operate a farm over 200 hectare in size with the help of modern equipment. Increased mechanization has brought about an increase in the size of farms and a decline in their numbers. Between 1901 and 2001, changes occurred in the amount of farmland, the number of farms, and the amount of equipment used in farms.

Crop and animal production contribute 1.4% to Canada’s GDP. When all the people involved in growing, processing, transportation, and selling goods are counted, about 20% of jobs are related to the agricultural sector. Agricultural products play an important role in trade with other countries. Canada has a large surplus in agriculture trade. Most of the surplus is the result of export of grains and vegetable oil from prairies. Canadians rely on farmers to produce food that is relatively inexpensive after costs of production, transportation, processing and profit are added. Canadians spent 25% of their income on food in the 1950’s, today we only spend about 11%, including meals spent outside of the home.

The Importance Of Agriculture To Canada

Land: Non-renewable Or Renewable

Land is a renewable resource, if handled carefully, it can support new crops year after year. Land is also considered a non-renewable resource, because there is only a limited amount of its availability, especially land that is suitable for farming. If the land is severely damaged as a result of bad farming, or its paved over to build a town of highway, it can’t be used for agriculture any longer.

Intensive And Extensive Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture Extensive Agriculture

Size Of Farms Tend to be small Large Farms

Large amounts of labour, machinery andUse of Labour/Machinery fertilizers. Small amounts of labour, machinery and fertilizers.

Types Of Farming Fruits, vegetables and dairy products Grains, oilseeds,mixed farming Cattle farming and ranching

Intensive and and Extensive Agriculture

Intensive: Intensive farming is common in densely populated areas such as southern Ontario,southern quebec, and Fraser River Valley near Vancouver. Farms tend to be small but they require large investments in labour and machinery to produce high profits per hectare. Intensive farming commonly produces fruits,vegetables,dairy products, poultry and hogs. Many of these items are perishable and must be quickly processed and transported to market.

Extensive: Extensive farming occurs where the population density is low and land plentiful and inexpensive. Since farms tend to be large,low yields per hectare still allow to profit. Compared to intensive farming, extensive farming is usually highly mechanized and requires few workers. Extensive farming is common in the prairie provinces, the interior of southern British Columbia, and parts of Ontario and Quebec that are located away from major cities. It includes cattle farming and ranching, grain and oilseed growing, and mixed farming. Extensive farming operations are located away from major markets and there products are usually less perishable.

6 Issues Facing Canadian Farmers Today1) Organic Farming:

Focuses on the production of crops and animals with using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, radiation or GMO’s.

2) Sustainable Agriculture:

Farming that can be cause on indefinitely without harming the soil or the environment.

3) Loss Of Farmland:

Some of the farmlands are being destroyed and houses are being built.

4) BSE (mad cow disease):

Bovine spongiform forms holes in the brains of infected animals , crippling and will eventually kill the animal.

5)GMO’S (genetically modified organisms):

Gmos are created when scientist transfer a gene from one organism to another to get desirable characteristics to the target plant or animal.

6) Agribusiness:

Growing, starting and processing distributing food.

Continued…….

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