Executive Summary€¦ · stars in the world of agriculture not only on the provincial stage, but...

Executive Summary Norfolk County promotes itself as Ontario’s Garden and has every right to do so.

Analysis of Statistics Canada’s 2016 Census of Agriculture confirms that our farmers are

stars in the world of agriculture not only on the provincial stage, but the national one,

too.

There are 1,860 farm operators working 1,307 farms in Norfolk County, with total land in

crops of 196,403 acres. Average age of a farm operator in Norfolk County was 55.7

years in 2016.

Norfolk County farmers are Canada’s leading growers of asparagus, tart cherries,

ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, squash and zucchini, and other vegetables, compared to

other census subdivisions.

Norfolk County farmers are Ontario’s Number One growers of asparagus, cabbage, tart

cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini, strawberries, and other

vegetables.

Our farmers are among Ontario’s top growers of several other crops: sweet corn,

apples, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, green and wax beans, carrots, raspberries and

lettuce.

Since 2011, there have been increased plantings of asparagus, ginseng, green and wax

beans, green peas, mixed grains, oats, peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini.

Plantings of cabbage, carrots, corn for grain, onions, pears, raspberries, soybeans,

strawberries, sweet corn and wheat decreased in acreage size.

Livestock makes up an important part of Norfolk County agriculture. Farmers housed

more pigs, cattle and calves, goats, sheep and lambs in this Census, while the number

of horses and rabbits declined. The number of honeybee colonies increased.

Norfolk County has the highest number of employees on its farms (7,619), compared to

any other census subdivision in Canada. Our farmers employ the highest number of

seasonal or temporary workers (6,493).

Total farm capital, including land, buildings, livestock and machinery, in Norfolk County

was valued at approximately $3.3 billion in 2016, up 57% compared to five years ago.

By acre, Norfolk County had the second highest total farm capital value in Ontario.

Norfolk County farmers received more than $519 million in total gross farm receipts in

the year prior to the census. In Ontario, Norfolk County has the highest number of farms

reporting gross farm receipts over $2 million.

Innovation comes naturally to Norfolk County and our agriculture sector leads the way

with technology. Acre per acre, our farmers use the most computers, laptops,

smartphones, tablets, GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in

Canada.

Norfolk County by the Numbers: Census of Agriculture 2016 Page 3

Farms and Operators There are 1,860 farm operators working 1,307 farms in Norfolk County, with total land in

crops of 196,403 acres (see Chart 1).

Gender The male/female split is about 60%/40%.

Average Age The average age of a farm operator in

Norfolk County was 55.7 years in 2016,

compared to 54.8 in 2011. Ontario-wide,

the average age was 55.3 in 2016, up

from 54.5 in 2011.

Chart 1: Farms, Operators, Workers Norfolk County

Norfolk Farms (2016)


% Change Farms

Number of Farms 1,307 1,322 -1%

Number of Operators 1,860 1,980 -6%

Total Number of Employees 7,619 6,505 17%

Paid Work / Seasonal or Temporary 6,493 5,630 15%

Paid work on Year-Round Basis (Full Time) 812 *

Paid work on Year-Round Basis (Part Time) 314 *

Employees that were Family Members 790 *

Average Age of Farm Operators (Years) 55.7 54.8 0.9

* = not recorded


Employment Our farms employ 7,619 workers – including 6,493 seasonal or temporary staff.

There are 812 full-time year-round employees in Norfolk County’s agriculture sector,

plus 314 part-time year-round workers.

Leader in Canada

o #1 for Total Number of Employees

o #1 for Number of Seasonal or Temporary Workers

o #2 for Employees that were family members

Leader in Ontario

o #1 for Employees that were family members


Farm Capital Value, Gross Receipts and Expenditures Total farm capital, including land,

buildings, livestock and machinery,

in Norfolk County was valued at

approximately $3.3 billion, up 57%.

By acre, Norfolk County has the

second highest total farm capital

value in Ontario.

On average, farm capital per farm

is $2.524 million in Norfolk County.

Across Ontario, farm capital per

farm averages $2.537 million. (See

Chart 2.)

Chart 2:

Farm Capital - Norfolk County 2016 2011

%

Change Per Farm

Total farm capital market value $3,299,429,250 $2,107,496,508 57% $ 2,524,429

Total value of land and buildings $2,932,934,542 $1,826,183,275 61% $ 2,244,020

Value of all farm machinery and equipment $337,751,856 $262,835,937 29% $ 258,418

Value of livestock and poultry $28,742,852 $18,477,296 56% $ 21,991

Average value per farm for land and buildings was $2.244 million in Norfolk County,

compared to $2.277 million per farm across the province.

Farm machinery and equipment was valued at $258,418 per farm in Norfolk County on

average, $183,500 on average across the province.

Livestock per Norfolk County farm was valued at about $22,000. Across Ontario, the

comparable number was about $136,000.


Total Gross Farm Receipts Norfolk County farmers received more than $519 million in in total gross farm receipts in

the year prior to the census, up 43% compared to 2011.

Total annual farm operating expenses surpassed $477 million, up 35%.

Norfolk County is home to the most farms in Ontario reporting incomes of over $2 million

(62 farms, up 55%).

Leader in Canada

o #4 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts over $2 million

o #5 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts $1m-1.9m

o #7 for Total Gross Farm Receipts

Leader in Ontario

o #1 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts over $2 million

o #2 for Number of Farms reporting Gross Farm Receipts $1m-1.9m

o #2 for Total Farm Capital per Acre of Land in Crops

o #2 for Total Farm Business Operation Expenses

o #3 for Total Gross Farm Receipts

The number of farms increased for those reporting annual gross farm receipts of

$500,000 or more, as well as for farms reporting $10,000 to $24,000. Others decreased.

Overall, Norfolk County’s gross farm receipts ranked #2 in Ontario and #7 in Canada

(see Chart 3).

Chart 3: Agriculture Total Farm Gross Receipts Norfolk County



% Change Farms

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $2m+ 62 40 55%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $1m - $1.9m 68 55 24%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $500k-$999k 116 76 53%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $250k-$499 125 153 -18%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $100k-$249 206 219 -6%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $50k-$99k 170 177 -4%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $25k-$49k 152 175 -13%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts $10k-$24k 227 204 11%

Farms with Total Gross Farm Receipts under $10k 181 223 -19%


Crops From an acreage standpoint, the fields of Norfolk County are dominated by a diverse

collection of crops: soybeans, corn for grain, rye, vegetables, wheat, alfalfa and hay,

ginseng and fruit (see Chart 4).

Leader in Canada

o #1 growers of asparagus, tart cherries,

ginseng, peppers, pumpkins, and other

vegetables.

Leader in Ontario

o #1 growers of asparagus, cabbage, tart

cherries, ginseng, peppers, pumpkins,

rye, squash and zucchini, strawberries,

and other vegetables.

Top Growing Region Norfolk County is among Ontario’s leading

farming regions growing several other crops:

sweet corn, apples, potatoes, tomatoes,

cucumbers, green and wax beans, carrots, raspberries and lettuce.

Commodities such as sweet potatoes, tobacco, lavender and popping corn are not

mentioned in the Census of Agriculture. They are likely cluster under other categories.

However, anecdotally, our farmers are leaders in those crops as well.

Changes in Fruit & Vegetable Plantings Planting of asparagus, ginseng, green and wax beans, green peas, mixed grains, oats,

peppers, pumpkins, rye, squash and zucchini increased in acreage size.

Planting of cabbage, carrots, corn for grain, onions, pears, raspberries, soybeans,

strawberries, sweet corn and wheat decreased in acreage size.

Analysis of Ontario-wide data demonstrates that acreage in vegetables slightly

increased while potato and fruit areas slightly decreased. In Norfolk County, vegetable

and fruit areas slightly increased and potato areas decreased.

Greenhouse The majority of Norfolk County’s total greenhouse area was made up of greenhouse

flowers. Sales of forest products were $546,078, up 39%. Across Ontario, greenhouse

area increased. In Norfolk County, greenhouse area declined by 10% in total, although

greenhouse flower area increased slightly.


Tobacco There are few details in the

Census about tobacco

production, except that the

number of tobacco farms in

2016 was 98, up 56%.

Organics The number of farms in

Norfolk County reporting

production of organics was

24, up 26%. Tapping of maple trees also increased.

Ontario-wide, certified organic farms represented 1.3% of all farms in the province in

2016. In Norfolk County, they represent 1.8% of all farms.

Grains & Oilseeds While the Province of Ontario reports a significant increase in oilseed and grain farms

across the province in 2016 compared to 2011, this trend was not observed in Norfolk

County. There were significantly fewer farms and fewer acres of oilseeds and grains

here.

Norfolk County farmers grew large acreages of soybeans, corn (for grain), rye, and

wheat, compared to fruit and vegetables. However, all grains and oilseed acreages

decreased in size between 2011 and 2016, except for rye, which increased.


Chart 4: Crops Norfolk County (Highlighted crops: For these Norfolk County farmers are #1, #2 or #3 growers in Ontario and/or Canada)

Acres (2016)

Acres (2011)

% Change Acres

Farms (2016)

Farms (2011)

% Change Farms

Alfalfa 5,480 5,369 2% 165 173 -5%

All Tame Hay/Fodder 2,891 2,299 26% 89 77 16%

Apples 2,338 2,225 5% 34 39 -13%

Apricots x 0 1 0

Asparagus (non-producing) 441 201 119% 23 19 21%

Asparagus (producing) 1,784 x 43 45 -4%

Barley 250 x 4 1 300%

Beets 7 x 17 16 6%

Blueberries x 113 15 16 -6%

Broccoli x 40 16 14 14%

Brussels Sprouts 2 x 11 4 175%

Cabbage 823 1,167 -29% 23 28 -18%

Canola x x 2 1

Carrots 335 518 -35% 19 15 27%

Cauliflower 6 68 -91% 14 13 8%

Cherries (Sour) “Tart” 1,138 x 8 6 33%

Cherries (Sweet) x 18 9 5

Chinese cabbage x 182 9 9 0%

Christmas Trees 200 213 -6% 23 20 15%

Corn for Grain 51,608 65,350 -21% 404 462 -13%

Corn for Silage 1,688 1,922 -12% 39 50 -22%

Cucumbers 1,046 1,081 -3% 61 80 -24%

Dry Beans (Other) 199 x 4 5 -20%

Dry White Beans x x 2 1

Flaxseed x x 2 1

Fruits, berries, nuts (All) 4,279 4,187 2% 99 111 -11%

Fruits, berries, nuts, Other 49 79 -38% 13 18 -28%

Ginseng 6,368 4,440 43% 103 97 6%

Grapes x 71 14 17 -18%

Green and wax beans 505 161 214% 27 24 13%

Green Peas 263 115 129% 23 18 28%


Chart 4: Crops Norfolk County (continued) (Highlighted crops: For these Norfolk County farmers are #1, #2 or #3 growers in Ontario and/or Canada)

2016 Acres or Square

Feet or Count (as

noted)

2011 Acres or Square

Feet or Count (as

noted)

% Change Acres

Farms (2016)

Farms (2011)

% Change Farms

Greenhouse Total (sq.ft.) 5,255,540 5,859,040 -10% 79 84 -6%

Greenhouse Flowers (sq.ft.) 3,741,810 3,574,567 5% 39 40 -3%

Greenhouse Other (sq.ft.) x x 24 29 -17%

Greenhouse Veg. (sq.ft.) x x 25 28 -11%

Lettuce 26 x 13 8 63%

Maple Taps (count) 5,814 5,116 14% 27 16 69%

Mixed Grains 317 269 18% 11 6 83%

Mushrooms (sq.ft.) 38,947 x 5 3 67%

Mustard Seed 206 219 -6% 6 9 -33%

Nursery x 1,002 38 47 -19%

Oats 768 317 142% 37 20 85%

Onions, Dry 10 53 -81% 16 18 -11%

Organic Products * * 24 19 26%

Peaches x x 9 8 13%

Pears 27 41 -34% 13 14 -7%

Peppers 1,423 1,109 28% 61 58 5%

Potatoes 2,619 2,691 -3% 38 49 -22%

Pumpkins 1,493 852 75% 45 43 5%

Raspberries 30 41 -27% 11 18 -39%

Rye (Total) 25,680 17,489 47% 305 256 19%

Sod x x 2 4 -50%

Soybeans 56,781 66,658 -15% 513 600 -15%

Spinach 3 x 10 8 25%

Squash and Zucchini 1,166 943 24% 63 63 0%

Strawberries 362 465 -22% 29 35 -17%

Sunflowers x x 5 1 400%

Sweet Corn 3,578 4,530 -21% 32 46 -30%

Tobacco 98 63 56%

Tomatoes 1,066 1,058 1% 59 61 -3%

Vegetables (All) 17,328 16,706 4% 190 217 -12%

Vegetables, Other 2,872 2,694 7% 69 62 11%

Wheat (All) 8,572 12,835 -33% 130 171 -24%


Livestock Livestock is an important part of Norfolk

County agriculture, including chicken,

turkey, pigs, cattle, goats and sheep.

(See Chart 5.)

Leader in Ontario

o #5 for Number of Farms

reporting Poultry & Egg

Production

Farmers housed more pigs, cattle and

calves, goats, sheep and lambs in this

Census, while the number of horses,

rabbits, llamas and alpacas decreased. The number of honeybee colonies increased.

Ontario-wide data reports the number of livestock and poultry on farms increased over

the past five years. Norfolk County is mirroring this trend.

Chart 5: Livestock Norfolk County

Count (2016) Count (2011)

% Change Count

Farms (2016)

Farms (2011)

% Change Farms

Cattle & Calves 5,731 5,392 6% 134 147 -9%

Sheep & Lambs 2,411 1,821 32% 36 30 20%

Pigs 64,909 57,561 13% 32 23 39%

Horses 648 895 -28% 116 136 -15%

Goats 2,533 1,771 43% 28 26 8%

Llamas and Alpacas 20 38 -47% 4 3 33%

Rabbits 271 580 -53% 13 17 -24%

Bison (buffalo) - - 0 0

Elk (wapiti) x x 2 3 -33%

Deer (excluding wild deer) x 33 1 4 -75%

Mink x x 2 2 0%

Poultry Inventory 1,381,968 845,031 64% 147 104 41%

Chicken Prod. Yr Prior (kg) 15,155,998 12,297,859 23% 40 37 8%

Turkey Prod. Yr Prior (kg) 1,496,352 x 8 7 14%

Egg Prod. Yr Prior (dozens) x x 44 31 42%

Colonies of Honeybees 4,189 3,180 32% 36 23 57%


Farmland Uses While the total number of acres of land in crops and summerfallow increased, land in

pasture, woodlands and wetlands, Christmas trees, and all other land decreased. (See

Chart 6.)

No-Till Practices Areas under no-till practices in Norfolk County declined by 40%. Across the province,

there were about 3% less areas under no-till.

Windbreaks There were 620 farms in Norfolk County reporting windbreaks and shelterbelts in 2016,

up 12% over five years. Norfolk County is among the top five communities across

Canada reporting windbreaks.

Other regions with respect to this issue have increased their windbreaks and

shelterbelts by 15% to 28%. Across Ontario, farms reporting windbreaks increased by

18%.

Chart 6: Types of Use for Farmland Norfolk County

Norfolk Acres (2016)

Norfolk Acres (2011)

% Change Acres



% Change Farms

Total Land in Crops 196,403 210,371 -7% 1,184 1,205 -2%

Summerfallow land 1,138 885 29% 48 44 9%

Tame or seeded pasture 3,019 3,484 -13% 1,138 885 29%

Natural land for pasture 3,210 4,180 -23% 177 183 -3%

Woodlands and wetlands 30,830 33,390 -8% 770 818 -6%

Area in Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands

31,030 33,603 -8% 774 821 -6%

All other land 12,802 13,663 -6% 859 989 -13%


Irrigation & Inputs In Norfolk County, the number of farms irrigating increased by 29% and total area

irrigated increased by 45%. (See Chart 7.)

Across Ontario, the number of farms using irrigation increased by 25% and the total

area irrigated increased by 16% over five years.

In terms of inputs, Norfolk County is a study in contrast compared to the rest of Ontario.

Fertilizers Use of commercial fertilizer declined by 7% in Norfolk County. Across Ontario, the total

area using commercial fertilizer increased by 8%.

Herbicides Herbicide use decreased in Norfolk County by 8%. Across Ontario, use of herbicides

increased by 6%.

Insecticides Insecticide use increased by 31% in Norfolk County. Across Ontario, insecticide use

ballooned by 124%.

Lime and Manure Use of lime remained about the same. The use of solid or composted manure,

incorporated into the soil, increased, as did liquid manure not incorporated.

Chart 7: Irrigation & Inputs Norfolk County

Acres (2016)

Acres (2011)

% Change Acres

Farms (2016)

Farms (2011)

% Change Farms

Land under Irrigation 32,203 22,236 45% 354 275 29%

Herbicide Use 159,522 174,282 -8% 845 844 0%

Insecticide Use 94,445 71,945 31% 516 421 23%

Fungicide Use 61,913 45,448 36% 385 336 15%

Commercial Fertilizer 157,937 169,493 -7% 896 890 1%

Lime 27,522 27,574 0% 240 259 -7%

Trace Minerals & Nutrients 50,297 262

Manure, solid/compost, incorp. 13,548 11,814 15% 270 212 27%

Manure, solid/compost, not incorp. 1,901 2,412 -21% 70 60 17%

Liquid Manure, inject/incorp. 2,598 3,079 -16% 31 28 11%

Liquid Manure, not incorp. 1,754 1,023 71% 19 11 73%


Tenure In terms of tenure, most land is owned by the farm operator: 177,554 acres, down 8%.

Area rented or leased from others was 85,228 acres, down 8%. Area crop-shared from

others was 4,840 acres, down 19%. Area of land used by others was 24,284, down

13%; area leased from governments was 2,109 acres, up 100%; and land area used

through other agreement was 2,155 acres, down 12%.

Non-Farm Work Most farm operators (57%) in Norfolk County report no paid non-farm work, down 3%.

About 16% report more than 40 hours per

week of paid non-farm work, down 20%. About

14% report 30 to 40 hours per week of non-

farm work, up 6%.

Another 6% report working 20 to 29 hours per

week off the farm, down 4%, and 7% report

working less than 20 hours per week off the

farm, down 13%.

Across Ontario, 54% of farmers report no paid

non-farm work, up slightly. About 18.5% report

more than 40 hours, down slightly.

Succession Planning In Norfolk County, 148 farms reported having a

written succession plan for the operation,

ranked second in Ontario, and third in Canada

for total number of farms with a written

succession plan.

Farm Gate Sales & CSAs The Census reported 126 farms reporting farm gate sales, stands and kiosks, and 16

farms selling value-added products. Six farms reported using Community Supported

Agriculture (CSAs) to market their products.


Innovation Innovation comes naturally to Norfolk County and our agriculture sector leads the way

with technology. Acre per acre, our farmers use the most computers, laptops,

smartphones, tablets, GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in

Canada.

Technology Use In terms of technology use, 41% of Norfolk County farms use smart phones and tablets,

58% use computers and laptops, 34% use GPS technology, 18% use GIS mapping, and

17% use automated steering technology.

Leader in Canada

o Norfolk County farmers use the most computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets,

GPS technology and GIS mapping compared to anywhere else in Canada, on a

per-acre basis.

Renewable Energy Production Renewable energy production including solar panels and wind turbines was also

recorded on 104 farms, placing Norfolk County among the top five similar communities

in Canada.

Raising Awareness Norfolk County’s Tourism & Economic Development

Division will utilize the information about our agriculture

sector to raise awareness among citizens, businesses,

visitors and investors.

Information has already been uploaded to our websites

at norfolkbusiness.ca and norfolktourism.ca. An

infographic has also been prepared and is available on

the website and in print (see excerpt at right).

http://www.norfolkbusiness.ca/economy/agriculture-food/farm-data/

https://www.norfolktourism.ca/about-us/resources/norfolk-agriculture-data/

http://www.norfolkbusiness.ca/agriculture/agriculture-infographic/


Acknowledgements Data for this report was extracted from CANSIM tables provided by Statistics Canada

and analyzed by Norfolk County staff. Provincial data was provided by the Ontario

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Report cover and infographic design by

Tracy Haskett, Norfolk County.

Disclaimer Users of this document are cautioned to consider the provisional nature of the

information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the

conduct of business. Norfolk County assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the

information contained in this document nor liability to any user for such information

regardless of the purpose.

Norfolk County

Tourism & Economic Development Division 185 Robinson Street, Suite 200

Simcoe ON N3Y 5L6

norfolkbusiness.ca/agriculture

519-426-9497

© 2017 Corporation of Norfolk County June 28, 2017 Version

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Executive Summary€¦ · stars in the world of agriculture not only on the provincial stage, but...

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