2015 looks good for Canadian farmers

Feb 18, 2015

Hog and cattle industry growth among the reasons why

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently released their 2015 Canadian Agricultural Outlook and all signs point to another successful and profitable year for farmers across Canada.

Among the highlights of the outlook are:

Average net worth per farm to raise from 2014’s $2 million to $2.1 million for 2015.
Early forecasting estimates $13 billion in farm income for 2015.
Record prices from the hog and cattle sectors in 2014 due to low North American supplies, and weakening feed grain prices also contributed to higher incomes. Although total livestock receipts will not change significantly in 2015, cattle receipts will continue to benefit from tight markets and higher prices.

"The future for Canadian agriculture remains positive,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a press release. “Our Government will continue to work with industry to strengthen agricultural research and innovation, break down trade barriers, open new markets and enable producers to improve their incomes, support their families, and grow the Canadian economy.”

Speaking of the hog industry that’s been doing so well…

The federal government recently announced an investment of $2 million into the pork industry to improve traceability and biosecurity.

The Canadian Pork Council will receive up to $1.6 million for maintaining and implementing PigTrace Canada, an industry-led national swine traceability system.

The Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) will receive up to $351,000 in additional federal funding to assist the industry with the long-term management of swine health issues and the prevention of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), which Canadian farmers battled at various times during 2014.

“Minister Ritz and the federal government have been strong partners in the pork industry’s efforts to minimize the risk to Canada’s excellent swine health status and these initiatives will continue to build and further strengthen the industry,” said Canadian Swine Health Board Chair Brian Sullivan in a release.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

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