The Canadian agriculture sector is one of the greatest contributors to our economy. Our agriculture sector not only leads internationally with respect to the products we produce, but also boasts an impressive record for job creation, technological advancement, and environmental sustainability.
Here are some facts on the Canadian agriculture sector that you may not have been aware of.
• One in eight Canadian jobs are related to agriculture
• Agriculture employs over 2.1 million Canadians
• Canada’s plant science industry ranks among Canada’s top employers
• Grain is responsible for 40,000 jobs in Ontario alone
• There are three jobs waiting for every agronomics graduate in Ontario
• Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of flaxseed, canola, pulses, durum wheat, peas, lentils, and mustard seeds
• The meat processing industry is Canada’s third largest manufacturing industry, ranking behind motor vehicles and petroleum products
• Canada is the world’s second largest exporter of malting barley (used to brew beer)
• Canada is the world’s largest producer of blueberries
• Canada ranks No. 1 in the G7 for low food processing cost
• Canada produces 85 per cent of the world’s maple syrup
• The U.S. is Canada’s No. 1 food export destination
• One tree can remove the same amount of carbon dioxide from the air that is emitted from a car driving 17,700 kilometres.
• Fifty thousand fewer gallons of water are needed to grow an acre of corn today, compared to 20 years ago
• Thanks to Canada’s conservation tillage practices, 12 billion kilograms of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) are prevented from entering the atmosphere each year
• GHGs (Greenhouse Gases) from Canada’s dairy cows and manure management decreased 21 per cent from 1990-2009
• The value of honey bees to Canadian agriculture is over $1 billion
• The cattle industry contributes approximately $24.6 billion to the Canadian economy
• Sales of milk and dairy products contribute $10 billion to the Canadian economy
• Canadian dairy genetics exports are valued at over $120M
• Grains create $9 billion in economic output for Canada
• Beef industry contributes almost $25 billion to the Canadian economy annually
• Canada is the world’s fifth largest exporter of agricultural products
• World food demand will increase 70 per cent by 2050
• Since 2007, China’s import of Canadian vegetable oil has increased by 300 per cent
• Within the last six years, Canada’s exports to Russia alone have increased by 430 per cent
• A farmer in 1900 produced enough food for 10 people. Today’s farmer feeds over 120 people
• Farming in Canada is still a family business – over 97% of Canada’s farms are family owned.
— — —
Think about this – Life is like a pencil. Without Jesus, there is no point.
Just some food for thought.
Here in Chatham-Kent ‘WE GROW FOR THE WORLD’. Check out our community’s agricultural website at www.wegrowfortheworld.com
Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 45 years. He can be reached at: kim.e.cooper@gmail.com
You can also follow him on Twitter at ‘theAGguy’
« Back To Work For Agriculture At Queen’s Park ALUS Canada Re-Launches In Ontario »
