Alberta Agriculture Statistics Yearbook, 2012
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Census of Agriculture for Alberta, 2011
Census Farms
The 2011 Census of Agriculture counted 43,234 farms in Alberta, a decline of 12.5 per cent from 49,431 in 2006. Farm
numbers were down in all provinces, except Nova Scotia, and fell 10.3 percent nationally to 205,730 farms. Despite the
decline, Alberta had the second highest number of farms among provinces, behind Ontario (51,950), and accounted for 21.0
per cent of farms in Canada. Generally, farm numbers have been declining across Canada since reaching a peak in 1941.
While farm numbers have declined, the average farm size in Alberta increased 10.7 per cent to 1,168 acres (1,055 acres in
2006).
Total farm area reported (total area of all land tenures minus total area of land used by others) fell from 2006 by 3.1
per cent to 50.5 million acres, representing 31.5 per cent of the Canadian total of 160.2 million acres.
Under land tenure, 30.2 million acres were owned in 2011 (32.2 million acres in 2006). The total area rented or leased
from others was 11.0 million acres (10.1 million in 2006), and area leased from governments was 9.7 million acres (10.0
million acres in 2006). Area crop-shared from others was 1.5 million acres (1.6 million acres in 2006) and area used through
other arrangements was 546,417 acres (554,935 acres in 2006). The total area of land used by others was 2.4 million acres
(2.3
million acres in 2006).
While total farm area declined, the total productive land area under crops in Alberta increased 1.4 per cent to 24.1 million
acres, and accounted for 27.6 per cent of the national total. Tame or seeded pasture acreage fell 3.5 per cent to 5.9 million
acres, and natural land for pasture declined 1.4 per cent to 15.9 million acres. Land in summerfallow fell by 43.6 per cent, to
1.3
million acres.
Of farms classified by type, crop farms (23,331 farms) accounted for 54.0 per cent of farms in Alberta, while animal
production was 46.0 per cent (19,903 farms). Notable farm types included beef cattle farms at 27.8 per cent, hay at 18.0 per
cent, oilseed (except soybean) at 12.1 per cent, and wheat at 4.8 per cent. The census classifies farms according to the
predominant type of production based on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This is done by
estimating the potential receipts from the inventories of crops and livestock reported on the questionnaire and determining
the product or group of products that make up the majority of the estimated receipts.
Provincial gross farm receipts from all sources (including market receipts, program payments, custom work, and inter-farm
sales), totaled $11.4 billion, up 15.6 per cent from $9.9 billion in 2006, and ranked second highest among provinces behind
Ontario ($11.9 billion). By size class, the number of Alberta farms with gross receipts of $500,000 or more increased by 40.8
per cent to 4,454 (3,164 in 2006), and accounted for 10.3 per cent of total farms (6.4 per cent in 2006). The number of farms
with gross farm receipts of less than $500,000 declined by 16.2 per cent to 38,780 (46,267 in 2006), and comprised 89.7 per
cent of census farms.
Total farm operating expenses in the province increased to $9.7 billion, from $8.8 billion in 2006. Major expense items
included livestock and poultry purchases ($2.0 billion), total feed and supplements ($1.4 billion), fertilizer and lime ($900.8
million), and wages and salaries ($600.0 million). Producers spent an average of 85 cents in expenses (excluding
depreciation) for every dollar of gross receipts, down from 89 cents in 2006.
The total market value (at the time of Census) of farm capital in the province increased 33.1 per cent to $95.6 billion in 2011,
compared to $71.8 billion in 2006. The average capital value per farm was $2.2 million, up 52.2 per cent from $1.5 million in
2006.
The total value of land and buildings accounted for most of the gain, up 40.8 per cent to $80.4 billion, while machinery
and equipment value rose 12.9 per cent to $10.9 billion. The value of livestock and poultry fell 14.6 per cent to $4.3 billion.
The Alberta result was similar to the national total, where total capital value was $330.8 billion (up 33.2 per cent), with an
average capital value per farm of $1.6 million (up 48.5 per cent). Alberta led the nation in value of farm capital ($95.6 billion),
followed by Ontario ($85.7 billion).
In 2011, the number of farms classified by operating arrangement indicated that sole proprietorships were the predominant
type of farm classification in Alberta at 24,459 farms or 56.6 per cent of all farms. Partnerships without written agreements
were the second most common type at 22.5 per cent (9,708 farms), while family corporations were 15.8 per cent (6,821
farms). Non-family corporations accounted for 1.8 per cent of all farms (771) compared to 1.4 per cent (697) in 2006.
The proportion of Alberta farms using internet for farm business increased substantially to 57.7 per cent, from 34.8 per cent
in 2006. High speed internet access was reported by 46.5 per cent of all farms in the province, above the national average
of 44.8 per cent.
Note: All dollar values refer to current dollars.