The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 17Figures on farm income,
on and off the farm
by Rhea Hamilton
There was some good news and some
bad news for farmers when Statistics
Canada released the final figures for 1982
farm income and expenses.
The projected receipts for livestock
and livestock products were set at a four
per cent increase; in actual fact, the
industry saw an increase of six per cent.
Those in crops were not so lucky. The
projected decrease of five per cent was
actually a drop of seven percent over the
previous year.
In livestock, hog production increased
over 23 per cent from 1981.
Total farm operating expenses in
Ontario increased by only two per cent in
1982. This was caused by lower feed
prices and signficant declines in interest
rates in the latter half of 1982. This was
the lowest increase in farm expenditures
since 1968. Charges for depreciation on
machinery were significantly lower in
per cent of the net family income was
derived from the farming operation.
Similar figures are applied with the other
counties. (See graph)
1983 PROJECTIONS
Statistics Canada, with the help of the
Economics Branch, farmers and exten-
sion personnel, have projected a 12 per
cent increase in realized net farm income
for 1983. It is anticipated that lower farm
Farm Taxfllers' Average Income from Farm and Off -farm Sources, by County, 1980
Counties Farm
and Districts Taxfllers
Bruce 4,520
Grey 3,735
Huron 4,535
Perth 4,655
Net Farm
Taxfllers Average Taxfllers Average Income as
Average Reporting Net Reporting Income from Average Net a % of
Net Farm Off -Farm Off -Farm Wages and Wages and Income from Total Net
Income Income Income Salaries Salaries All Sources Income
1,081 4,253 9,047 1,884 5,296 10,129 10.7
697 3,509 9,608 1,698 5,650 10,305 6.8
3,236 4,182 7,635 1,648 4,025 10,870 29.8
4 497 4,269 7,328 1,455 3,374 11,825 38.0
Peebles
Farms
Yorkshire/ Hampshire
Hybrid Gilts
Purebred Yorkshire &
Hampshire Boars
R.O.P. Tested
DOUG PEEBLES
R.R. 2, Atwood
356-2369 356-2230
Anytime After 6 p.m.
1982 because of a decline in new
machinery sales and the capital stock
which was depreciated has beer reduced
in relative terms. Operating expenses
were also lowered by less fertilizer being
used because of their high costs in 1982.
Farm net income dropped 10 per cent
from 1981 levels. When adjustments are
allowed for changes in inventory, it is
calculated that net farm income will be
$822 million, down two per cent from
1981. A drop of 26 per cent was
anticipated.
Information for these figures is collect-
ed through government surveys sent to
farm operators along with information
compiled from marketing agencies, agri-
business, commodity experts and other
informed sources.
FARM INCOMES
The latest figures on average farm
incomes both on and off the farm for the
counties in The Rural Voice coverage
area is for 1980. In Publication 20,
released through the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture and Food, it is interesting to
note just how big a role the off -the -farm
job plays in farm finances (copies
available through OMAF).
In Huron county, there were 4,535 farm
tax filers whose average farm income was
$3,236. Of those filers, 4,183 reported
off -the -farm earnings averaging $7,635,
making a total net income from all
sources, $10,871. This means only 29.7
expenditures with slightly higher returns
will prove profitable.
NATIONAL FARM SURVEY
About 30,000 farmers will be asked to
participate in the National Farm Survey
sponsored by Statistics Canada between
June 17 and July 12.
Data provided by farmers across
Canada through mail, telephone and
personal interviews will be used to
produce estimates on commodity pro-
duction and farm operating expenses,
which are subject to significant changes
from year to year. The survey is
conducted each year in order to monitor
these fluctuations.
Farm organizations, agricultural rel
resentatives, government agencies and
others use the data in making decisions
which effect the agricultural industry.
The survey is conducted in July in
order to make early crop acreage esti-
mates shortly after seeding and because
expenditure data for the previous calen-
dar year might not be available before the
month of June.
Questions in the National Farm Survey
deal mainly with land use, livestock
inventory and specific farm operating
expenses. As with other Statistics
Canada surveys, information provided by
individual farmers is confidential. For
further information on the National Farm
Survey, contact: P.L. Stevens, Agri-
culture Division, (613) 995-4936.0
THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983 PG. 15