Canada's agriculture

Canada's agriculture

1. former times

   • many small farms
   • farm incomes fell in the 1990s & in 2003 because of BSE
   • lots of chemical fertilizers & pesticides have been used

2. farming today

   • problems in the Prairies
     • low rainfall, drought & wind lead to crop erosion
       • solution: soil conservation methods
         • e.g. zero tillage (no ploughing when planting new crops)
         • e.g. leaving land fallow (unused)
     • wind
     • hailstorms can flatten crops
     • harsh frosts
       • solution: plant in spring & create special spring wheat crops
     • many old farmers retire & only large farms are then kept alive by agribusinesses
     • newest ideas: agrotourism, growind organic crops, paying guests on farms, farm tours, greenhouse crops
   • farming differences by area
     • Atlantic region
       • small farms, poor soil, hilly land, harsh climate
         • exception: Prince Edward Island: main potato-growing region
     • Ontario & Quebec
       • fertile soil, mild climate
         • mixed farming: wheat, peaches, berry, honey, tobacco, maple syrup & dairying
     • Prairies: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta - also called 'Breadbasket of the World'
       • low rainfall, flat land, fertile soil
         • leading wheat-growing region (17% of world's total amount)
         • also production of oil & beef
       • chemical inputs less than in Europe per hectare
         • crop yields lower, but much land produces much
     • Western Canada
       • Okanagan valley - called 'The Golden Mile' - (part of the Rockies) most productive land
         • specialist farming: orchards & vineyards
       • Vancouver area: mild winters, plentiful rainfall
         • provides fruit & dairying for the city
   • agricultural diversity
     • beef
     • wheat
       • to Italy for pasta
     • vegetable oil
     • apples
     • potatoes
     • specialties: peaches, raspberries, strawberries, honey, tobacco, sugar beet
     • maple syrup

3. key data

   • exports mostly go to the USA
   • large farming area (3 times the UK)
   • main export is wheat