Study examines farmland values in Southwestern Ontario

Sep 25, 2014

Variability identified as a key theme for agricultural land prices

In 2013, farmland values in Southwestern, Ontario increased approximately 22 to 25 per cent, according to a study produced by London-based Valco Real Estate Appraisers and Consultants.

They found that the increases were consistent with what they’ve seen in previous years dating back to 2010 – when farmland prices skyrocketed to historic levels. Ten counties were assessed in the study including, Huron, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, Kent, Lambton, Essex, Bruce and Grey.

The top counties, with the largest average annual increases since that time, include Bruce County, Lambton County and Elgin County with a 27 to 38 per cent increase. Within those counties (county divisions) the largest increases include, Elgin East, Huron North, and Lambton North. Some of the highest sales in 2013 for those areas ranged from $20,000 to $25,000 an acre.

In other areas of the province, land prices continued to be high, especially in “strong quota/livestock” areas. These counties included the areas of Huron, Perth and Oxford. Ryal Parker, notes that quota has acted as a stabilizing factor in these areas despite lower commodity prices.

The author of the Valco report predicts that variability in agricultural land values will become the new norm. He says that buyers and sellers should expect the range in values to be “extreme” with 50 per cent ranges, and even 100 per cent ranges are possible. In addition, he forecasts that there will likely be fewer sales and more lists and seller expectations will outpace buyer willingness to purchase more land.

The real estate firm has been conducting studies of Southwestern Ontario farmland values since 2010. The full report can be read at http://www.valcoconsultants.com/.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.