Farm data and farm operator data

2006 Census of Agriculture

The number of census farms in Canada continues to drop, according to data from the 2006 Census of Agriculture, declining 7.1% to 229,373 farms over the five-year period between the censuses. The number of larger farms, with gross farm receipts of $250,000 or more (at 2005 constant prices), have increased 13.8% since 2001 while those with less than $250,000 in receipts declined by 10.5%. As farm numbers drop, the average size of a Canadian farm has increased from 676 acres to 728 acres.

We often think of the largest urban areas — Statistics Canada calls them census metropolitan areas (CMAs) — as the places where people live, shop and work. Farms are often forgotten in the mix. But the reality is different: Over 15% (35,467) of the 229,373 farms counted in the 2006 Census of Agriculture had their headquarters in one of Canada’s 33 CMAs. This has remained constant since 2001.

The average age of farm operators continues to increase — from 49.9 in 2001 to 52.0 in 2006.

Read the May 16, 2007 edition of The Daily for concise analytical text on national and provincial trends.