In the wide-open spaces of northern Wellington, it’s pretty hard not to be aware that agriculture plays a major part in local lifestyles, not to mention the economy. A quick tour through the countryside serves as a strong reminder if any were needed.
Still, Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) members managed to present some truly eye-opening information during visits to councils in Mapleton and Minto this month.
The WFA points out that farmers in Wellington are owners and stewards of 78.5 per cent of the total land area of the county and farm cash receipts for primary commodities in the county totalled more than $700 million in 2013.
Dairy farms in the county accounted for the largest share of that, at $162 million, with beef operations generating $122 million, poultry $108 million, hogs $88.8 million, soybeans $52.4 million, corn $46.5 million, eggs, $40.9 million and wheat $22.5 million.
Wellington County has 393 diary farms, 9% of the total province wide. There are 423 beef cattle operations (6% of the Ontario total), 120 pork producers (9.7%) and 166 poultry and egg producers (10.3%).
That’s big business on our back roads, as the federation representatives pointed out.
All that economic activity, of course, requires work, also known as employment – another boon that agriculture provides for the region. Successful farm operators hire plenty of farm labour. Wellington County farms annually generate 58,000 weeks of work, most of it year round, for hired farm labourers, who in turn, spend much of their cash locally – as of course do the farmers themselves.
Province wide, the figures are even more impressive. The farm sector contributes $13.7 billion to Ontario’s gross domestic product, with farmers spending almost $112 billion on farm inputs. The sector generates 158,000 jobs and supports $8.1 billion in wages, delivering $1.4 billion in provincial tax revenues (although local municipal politicians will tell you the province currently gets too large a share of that dough, thanks to government manipulation of the Farm Tax Credit revenue streams).
To be sure, the benefits provided by agriculture are part of a reciprocal arrangement, with urbanites supplying a steady market for farm goods and a home for the manufacturers of the equipment and tools farmers need to do their jobs.
Still, it’s worth reflecting during the height of the growing season on just how much of an impact agriculture is making in everyone’s lives locally.
Plus, we get to enjoy those great country views on every trip out of town and a great rural fair in virtually every community.
Mapleton’s runs Aug. 5 to 7 at the fairgrounds in Drayton. Gates open next Friday night at 5pm.
