The Rural Voice, 1982-09, Page 24Farming: more intensive
than ever
While the number of farms and total
farm acreage in Canada decreased during
the seventies, the amount of improved
land has increased and is being farmed
more intensively than ever before.
These were among the findings of the
1981 Census of Agriculture, the results of
which were released by Martin B. Wilk,
Chief Statistician of Canada, at a news
conference attended by the Honorable
Eugene F. Whelan, Minister of Agricul-
ture, and the Honorable Jean -Jacques
Blais, Minister responsible for Statistics
Canada.
Average farm size has increased from
499 acres (202 hectares) in 1976 to 511
acres (207 hectares) in 1981, and a 9.4 per
cent increase was recorded in the amount
of land used for crops.
Mr. Blais noted that two trends that
began a decade ago are continuing. The
median age of farmers has declined (49.1
years of age in 1971 to 47.4 in 1981); and
more farmers are reporting off -farm work
(35 per cent in 1971 to 39 per cent in
1981). In addition, average number of
days per year spent on these off -farm jobs
has increased from 154 in 1971 to 171 in
1981.
The Census of Agriculture also indi-
cated that the vast majority of farms, 87
per cent, are still being operated by
individuals and their families. These
farms accounted for 65 per cent of sales.
Total capital value of farms, which
FARM NEWS
includes the value of lands, buildings,
machinery and livestock, has increased by
128 per cent since 1976, land and building
values being the largest components in the
increase.
Mr. Blais also said that the national and
provincial summaries will be ready nine
months earlier than they were after the
1976 Census and that 38 per cent fewer
person years were used. He attributed this
achievement to the close co-operation
Statistics Canada received from Agricul-
ture Canada, provincial agriculture statis-
tics offices, non-government organiza-
tions, and to the 99.4 per cent rate of
return from farm respondents "who,
along with the consumers, will ultimately
be the prime beneficiaries of the superior
data that have resulted".
The Chief Statistician noted that "in-
formation provided by Canadian farmers
contributes to the development and
operation of nearly every federal and
provincial agriculture policy and pro-
gram...nearly every aspect of agricultural
planning and research undertaken by
governments, industry, educational in-
stitutions, farm organizations and in-
dividual farmers".
•
Supply management
defended
"Guardians of a Way of Life: A fresh
perspective on marketing boards". This is
the title of a 24 -page article in the August -
September issue of HARROWSMiTH
MAGAZINE and is `must' reading for
anyone who wants to be prepared for the
next attack against marketing boards.
Congratulations are due to Thomas
Pawlick, Associate Editor of Harrow -
smith, who has written an analytical essay
explaining to consumers why supply
management, with all its imperfections, is
the only means by which a farmer can
survive. He carefully tears apart the
arguments of several economists who are
well known for their marketing board
bashing.
Harrowsmith can be purchased at most
magazine stands, but if you are unable to
obtain a copy, write to: Harrowsmith
Magazine, Queen Victoria Road,
Camden East, Ontario KOK 1 JO.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Fall plowing - There has been a definite increase in acreage of land put under the
plow as the season should be open until Dec. 10 -- some men have turned under five
acres who formerly only plowed one and some have plowed as much as 15 or 20 who
formerly turned over five.
Farmer's Magazine 1940
Centralia hosts 4-H Regional Conference
The a -H Regional Conference attracted over 50 Club members
who listened intently as Don Orth described career opportunities
in agri-business which have opened up for graduates from the
diploma course at Centralia College of Agricultural Technology.
Many interesting discussions developed between the members
of the career panel at the 4-H Regional Conference. Shown above
from left are Lloyd Foster, Technical Sales Representative with
Dupont; Jack Underwood, Engineering Instructor at Centralia;
Tom Prout, General Manager of the Ausable-Bayfield Conser-
vation Authority; Don Cameron, Head of Communications and
Extension at Centralia; and John Heard, Asst. Ag Rep. for
Huron County.
PG. 24 THE RURAL VOICE/SEPTEMBER 1982