Dairy farming in Canada
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
No issues specified. Please specify issues, or remove this template. |
In Canada in 2011, there were 985,300 dairy cows on 12,746 farms across the country [1]. With 98% of Canadian dairy farms still family owned and operated, that’s an average of just 77 cows per farm. Quebec and Ontario are the major dairy producing provinces with 49% and 32% of the farms, respectively [1]. But dairy has a significant presence in all of the provinces and is one of the top two commodities in seven out of ten provinces [2].
In the 1940s butter production in Canada averaged 150,000 tonnes (150,000 long tons; 170,000 short tons) and cheese production averaged between 43,000 tonnes (42,000 long tons; 47,000 short tons) and 94,000 tonnes (93,000 long tons; 104,000 short tons). The United Kingdom received 23,000 tonnes (23,000 long tons; 25,000 short tons) in 1949.[1]
The Canadian Dairy Commission Act was passed in 1966 by the Canadian Government.[2]
In the 1970s the supply management system came into effect to regulate the supply of milk, poultry and eggs to meet consumer demand. The collective marketing ensures that imports are limited in areas where domestic products can meet demand. The federal government imposed pricing policies to safeguard the producer's livelihood.[3]
Province | Number of Dairy Farms | Number of Dairy Cows | Dairy Cows per Farm |
---|---|---|---|
British Columbia | 512 | 70,500 | 138 |
Alberta | 592 | 90,000 | 152 |
Saskatchewan | 182 | 30,000 | 165 |
Manitoba | 344 | 44,500 | 129 |
Ontario | 4,137 | 322,000 | 78 |
Quebec | 6,281 | 366,000 | 58 |
New Brunswick | 219 | 18,700 | 85 |
Nova Scotia | 245 | 22,500 | 92 |
Prince Edward Island | 200 | 13,000 | 65 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | 34 | 5,900 | 174 |
CANADA | 12,746 | 983,100 | 77 |
Source: Canadian Dairy Information Centre; Dairy Facts and Figures; http://www.dairyinfo.gc.ca/index_e.php?s1=dff-fcil
See also
References
1. Canadian Dairy Information Centre; Dairy Facts and Figures; Number of Farms, Dairy Cows and Heifers; http://www.dairyinfo.gc.ca/index_e.php?s1=dff-fcil&s2=farm-ferme&s3=nb 2. An Overview of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food System 2012; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1331319696826&lang=eng
- ^ Cloutier, Edmond, ed. (1951). The Canada Year Book 1951 The Official Statistical Annual of the Resources, History, Institutions, and Social and Economic Conditions of Canada. King's Printer and Controller of Stationery. ISBN 0-7715-8268-4.
- ^ "The Canadian Dairy Commission Act was proclaimed. Supply ..." (PDF). Canadian Dairy Commission. Government of Canada. 2000-01-20. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
{{cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=
(help) - ^ "WTO and Agriculture — Supply management". G05. GO5 Coalition for a Fair Farming Model, Supply Management. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
{{cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=
(help)
External links