Statistical Profile of

Prepared by the Federation of Agriculture

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Contents 1.0 Introduction ...... 2 Agriculture in the Local Economy ...... 2 2.0 Population and Population Change ...... 3 3.0 Economic Profile ...... 3 4.0 Agricultural Profile of Cape Breton County...... 5 4.1 Number of Farms ...... 5 4.2 Farm Revenue ...... 7 4.3 Farm Expenses ...... 8 4.4 Land Use ...... 10 4.5 Farm Size ...... 11 Bibliography ...... 13 Appendix ...... 14

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1.0 Introduction

Agriculture in the Local Economy

Cape Breton County is home to a variety of farm production activities from cattle ranching to greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production. In 2010, Cape Breton County farms reported a total of approximately $11.8 million in farm receipts which accounted for 1.98% of all receipts reported in Nova Scotia. In the same year, farms in Cape Breton County reported a total business operating expense of approximately $8.8 million. Thus, Cape Breton’s agricultural industry produced a surplus of $3 million.

In regard to employment, health care, trade, construction, and education are the dominant industries in the Cape Breton region. Low employment in the agricultural industry may be due geographical limitations, climate, and a focus on other industries. Although the agri-tourism industry is not established in Cape Breton to the same extent that it is in other parts of Nova Scotia, there are several events that promote local agriculture. These agri-tourism projects include the Cape Breton’s Farmers’ Market, roadside farm markets, fairs, and the annual exhibition.

Not only has Cape Breton County experienced a decline in the number of farms, the number of acres used for farming purposes have also decreased since 2006. Indeed, Cape Breton County ranks 13th among all counties in regard to its use of arable land (“Cape Breton County,” para. 3). With 5% of arable land being used for agricultural production, Cape Breton’s average falls below the provincial average of 13% (“Cape Breton County,” para. 4). Although agriculture is not a dominant industry in Cape Breton, there is potential for economic growth through agriculture. 3

2.0 Population and Population Change

Between the years 2006 and 2011, Cape Breton County experienced a total population decline of 4.1% or a total of 4309 people. Table 1 demonstrates that, for the most part, Cape Breton Regional Municipality experienced an overall population decline. However, the and reserves experienced a significant population increase of 12.1% and 25.6% respectively. Cape Breton’s rate of population change (-4.1%) fell far below that of Nova Scotia’s (0.9%).

Table 1: Population of Cape Breton and Census Subdivisions, 2006-2011

Area 2011 2006 % Change Cape Breton County 101,619 105,928 -4.1 Cape Breton (RGM) 97,398 102,250 -4.7 Eskasoni 3 (reserve) 3,309 2,952 12.1 Membertou 28B (reserve) 912 726 25.6 Note: Adapted from , 2011.

Since Cape Breton is amalgamated under a regional municipality, there are no subdivisions like the other counties. Thus, it is difficult to determine the population distribution in terms of rural and population centres.

3.0 Economic Profile

In 2013, the Cape Breton region (including Richmond, Victoria, Inverness, and Cape Breton)1 represented approximately 3.8% of the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia. Although, an estimate for Cape Breton County is not specifically given, the data indicates that its geographic region is not a leading agricultural producer in Nova Scotia.

In comparison to the other industries in the Cape Breton region, agriculture accounted for approximately 0.37% of all jobs in the region, which was significantly lower than the provincial average of 1.17%. The industries with the highest employment in the Cape Breton region were trade, health care and social assistance, educational services, construction, and accommodation and food services. Furthermore, the agricultural industry had the lowest percentage of employment in the Cape Breton region.

Table 2: Cape Breton Region, Total Employment by Industry, 2013

1 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) divides Nova Scotia into 5 geographical regions. The Cape Breton region includes Inverness, Richmond, Cape Breton, and Victoria counties. According to the Labour Force Survey Estimates (LFS), some areas are too small to enable production of independent estimates from the survey. Thus, smaller regions with similar economic characteristics are grouped together. 4

% of Nova Scotia's Cape % of Cape Breton Region's Industry Nova Scotia Total Employment Breton Total Employment

Total employed, all industries 453,800 100 53,500 100 Agriculture 5,300 1.17 200 0.37 Forestry, fishing, mining, etc. 11,200 2.47 2,000 3.74 Utilities 4,600 1.01 1,000 1.87 Construction 33,500 7.38 3,900 7.29 Manufacturing 30,600 6.74 1,700 3.18 Trade 73,000 16.09 8,200 15.33 Transportation and warehousing 19,600 4.32 2,100 3.93 Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 22,100 4.87 2,100 3.93 Professional, scientific and technical services 27,800 6.13 1,400 2.62 Business, building and other support services 23,500 5.18 3,400 6.36 Educational services 36,700 8.09 5,000 9.35 Health care and social assistance 69,400 15.29 10,300 19.25 Information, culture and recreation 19,300 4.25 3,000 5.61 Accommodation and food services 29,000 6.39 3,900 7.29 Other services 18,600 4.1 1,800 3.36 Public administration 29,400 6.48 3,500 6.54 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.

Figure 1 displays a clear comparison of the percentages of total employed by each industry in Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton region. 5

25

20

15

10 %of Total Employed 5 Nova Scotia Cape Breton Region 0

Industry

Figure 1: % of Total Employed by Industry: Cape Breton Region vs. Nova Scotia, 2013.

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013

4.0 Agricultural Profile of Cape Breton County

4.1 Number of Farms

From 2006 to 2011, the total number of farms in Cape Breton County had decreased by four. Table 3 indicates that the predominant farm types in Cape Breton County were other crop farming (27.8%), greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production (23.3%), and cattle ranching (18.9%). Although ranching cattle remains a dominant farm activity in Cape Breton County, it has decreased since 2006 from 23 to 17 farms (-26.09%). In addition, sheep and goat farming and greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production had slightly decreased since 2006 with the decline of 38.46% and 50% respectively. All other types of farm production had either increased or remained the same. 6

Table 3: Cape Breton County, Total Number of Farms by Farm Type, 2006-2011

Farm Type 2011 2006 % Change # of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total Cattle ranching and farming 17 18.9 23 24.5 -26.09 Hog and pig farming 1 1.1 1 1.1 0 Poultry and egg production 4 4.4 3 3.2 33.33 Sheep and goat farming 1 1.1 0 0 0 Other animal production 8 8.9 13 13.8 -38.46 Oilseed and grain farming 1 1.1 0 0 0 Vegetable and melon farming 6 6.7 6 6.4 16.67 Fruit and tree nut farming 6 6.7 12 12.7 -50 Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production 21 23.3 19 20.2 10.53 Other crop farming 25 27.8 17 18.1 47.06 Total farms 90 100 94 100 -4.26 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In comparison to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton County had a higher percentage in several farm types including cattle ranching, hog and pig, poultry and egg production, vegetable and melon, greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production and other crop farming. It is evident that the percentages of other crop farming (27.8%) and greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production (23.3%) in Cape Breton County were significantly higher than that of the provincial percentages of 17% and 14.1% respectively. The percentage of fruit and tree nut farm types in Cape Breton County fell below that of the provincial average by 18.1%.

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25 20 15

10 5 %of Total Farms 0 Cape Breton

Nova Scotia

Farm Type

Figure 2: % of Total Farms by Farm Type: Cape Breton County vs. Nova Scotia, 2011 7

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.2 Farm Revenue

Farms in Cape Breton County reported approximately $11.8 million in farm receipts in 2010 which had increased from approximately $8.3 million in 2006. In addition to an increase in revenue between 2006 and 2010, Cape Breton County also experienced an increase in its percentage of Nova Scotia’s total farm receipts. In 2006, Cape Breton County’s revenue formed 1.62% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue. Meanwhile in 2010, Cape Breton County’s revenue constituted 1.98% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue.

Table 4: Total Farm Receipts for Cape Breton County and Nova Scotia, 2006-2010

2010 2006 % Change Nova Scotia $ 594,903,481.00 $ 509,520,691.00 16.76 Cape Breton County $ 11,788,719.00 $ 8,259,221.00 42.73 % of Nova Scotia's receipts 1.98 1.62 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In 2010, 80% of farms in Cape Breton County reported receipts less than $50,000. Farm receipts under $10,000 appeared to be the most popular category with 41 farms reporting receipts of this amount. These reports constituted 45.56% of the total farm receipts for Cape Breton County.

Table 5: Total Number of Farms in Cape Breton County by Farm Receipts, 2006-2010

Farm Receipts Category 2010 2006 # of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total Under $10,000 41 45.56 32 34.04 $10,000 to $24,999 15 16.67 26 27.66 $25,000 to $49,999 16 17.77 12 12.77 $50,000 to $99,999 6 6.67 13 13.83 $100,000 to $249,999 6 6.67 5 5.32 $250,000 to $499,999 1 1.11 3 3.19 $500,000 to $999,999 3 3.33 2 2.13 $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 1 1.11 0 0 $2,000,000 and over 1 1.11 1 1.06 Total Farms 90 100 94 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Between 2006 and 2010, farm receipts fluctuated, either increasing in some categories or decreasing in others. The percentage of farms that reported farm receipts under $10,000 category dramatically increased after 2006. Figure 3 demonstrates that the percentage of farm receipts for Cape Breton and Nova Scotia were similarly distributed across all categories. 8

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 Nova Scotia

%of Total Farm Receipts 10 5 Cape Breton 0

Farm Receipts Category

Figure 3: % of Total Farms by Farm Receipts Category: Cape Breton County vs. Nova Scotia, 2010

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.3 Farm Expenses

In 2010, the total farm business operating expense for Cape Breton County was $8,864,767. In Cape Breton, the average business operating expense per farm was approximately $98,500 which was lower than the provincial average of approximately $128,000. It is evident that the greatest expenses for farms were other expenses excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance ($2,443,535), total feed, supplement and hay purchases ($1,792,430), and total wages and salaries ($1,774,507). Interest expenses in Cape Breton County were about 1.5% of total farm expenses while the provincial average was 5.2%. 9

Table 6: Farm Business Operating Expenses for Cape Breton County and Nova Scotia, 2010

Nova Scotia Cape Breton County Farms Farms Reporting Amount $ Reporting Amount $ Fertilizer and lime purchases 1,957 $ 13,201,434.00 49 $ 203,917.00 Purchases of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. 1,459 $ 11,734,327.00 17 $ 106,855.00 Seed and plant purchases (excluding materials purchased for resale) 1,286 $ 10,952,683.00 42 $ 245,714.00 Total feed, supplements and hay purchases 1,825 $ 108,870,856.00 44 $ 1,792,430.00 Livestock and poultry purchases 1,067 $ 30,507,684.00 14 $ 177,519.00 Veterinary services, drugs, semen, breeding fees, etc. 1,517 $ 8,710,636.00 27 $ 72,832.00 Custom work, contract work and hired trucking 1,665 $ 28,483,557.00 26 $ 344,473.00 Total wages and salaries 1,521 $ 101,190,562.00 37 $ 1,774,507.00 All fuel expenses (diesel, gas, Repairsetc.) and maintenance to farm 3,644 $ 26,035,222.00 84 $ 562,649.00 machinery, equipment and vehicles 3,344 $ 22,441,124.00 81 $ 443,044.00 Repairs and maintenance to farm buildings and fences 2,301 $ 10,367,519.00 61 $ 260,275.00 Rental and leasing of land and buildings 581 $ 4,145,716.00 14 $ 29,878.00 Rental and leasing of farm machinery, equipment and 515 $ 5,818,991.00 10 $ 22,416.00 Electricity, telephone and all other telecommunication services 2,898 $ 11,790,016.00 66 $ 252,073.00 Farm interest expenses 1,579 $ 26,107,223.00 31 $ 132,650.00 All other expenses (excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance) 3,352 $ 80,190,026.00 84 $ 2,443,535.00 Total farm business operating expenses 3,905 $ 500,547,576.00 90 $ 8,864,767.00 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011. In 2006, Cape Breton County farms reported a total of $6,507,545 in farm business expenses with an average expense per farm of approximately $69,000. On the other hand, in 2010, farms reported an amount of $8,864,767 with an average expense per farm of approximately $98,500. 10

Therefore, farms in Cape Breton County increased their average operating expense by approximately $29,300 in four years.

Table 7: Total Farm Business Operating Expenses Cape Breton County, 2006-2010

Total Farm Business Farms Average Operating Operating Expenses Reporting Amount $ Expense per Farm

2010 90 $ 8,864,767.00 $ 98,497.41

2006 94 $ 6,507,545.00 $ 69,229.20 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.4 Land Use

In 2011, area in Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands accounted for most of the land use in Cape Breton County (48.24%). Furthermore, land in crops made up 27.5% of the land use in Cape Breton County. Summer fallow, tame of seeded pasture, natural land for pasture, and other land composed the remaining farmland (24.26%).

In comparison to provincial land use, Cape Breton County had a higher percentage of land used for natural land for pasture and tame of seeded pasture. On the other hand, Nova Scotia’s percentage of total land use was higher than the Cape Breton County in all other known categories.

Table 2: Land Use for Cape Breton County and Nova Scotia, 20112

Land Use Cape Breton County Nova Scotia

# of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 3,690 27.5 280,889 27.59

Summer Fallow N/A 1,145 0.11

Tame of Seeded Pasture 837 6.24 52,271 5.13

Natural Land for Pasture 1,141 8.5 62,142 6.11 Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 6,474 48.24 559,664 54.97

All Other Land N/A 61,964 6.09

Total 13,420 90.48 1,018,075 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

2 Some data has been suppressed by Statistics Canada to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act. This data is expressed by “N/A”. 11

The number of acres used for farming purposes had decreased since 2006 from 15,105 acres to 13,420 acres. Since 2006, there had been an increase in the percentage of total land use in natural and for pasture. However, there had been a decrease in the number of acres used for land in crops and for Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands.

Table 9: Land Use in Cape Breton County, 2006-2011

Land Use 2011 2006 # of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 3,690 27.5 4,590 30.39 Summer Fallow N/A N/A Tame of Seeded Pasture 837 6.24 N/A

Natural Land for Pasture 1,141 8.5 895 5.93 Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 6,474 48.24 6,697 44.34 All Other Land N/A 1,473 9.75 Total 13,420 90.48 15,105 90.41 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.5 Farm Size

In 2011, the average farm size in Cape Breton County was approximately 150 acres which was lower than the provincial average of approximately 260 acres.

Table 3: Total Acres and Average Farm Size in Cape Breton County and Nova Scotia, 2011

Average Farm Total Farms Total Acres Size (acres)

Nova Scotia 3,905 1,018,075 260.71

Cape Breton County 90 13,420 149.11 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In Cape Breton County, approximately 52% of reporting farms owned less than 129 acres. Indeed, the most common acreage size in Cape Breton was between 70 to 129 acres (21 farms reported). In total, the farms with these acreage sizes accounted for almost 23% of Cape Breton farms. 12

Table 4: Total Farms by Farm Size Category for Cape Breton County and Nova Scotia

Total Under 10-69 70-129 130-179 180-239 240-399 400-559 560-759 760 acres Farms 10 acres acres acres acres acres acres acres acres and over

Nova Scotia 3905 406 907 637 317 343 574 302 192 227

Cape Breton County 90 13 13 21 15 9 13 5 1 0 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

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Bibliography

(2013). Cape Breton County: Profile of Agricultural Land Resources. Retrieved from http://www.novascotia.ca/agri/elibrary/nsalrc/AppendixF-AgriculturalProfiles-CapeBreton.pdf

Cape Breton Estates. (2009). Cape Breton County. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.capebretonestates.com/slideshows/gabarus2/locatormap_county.gif

Statistics Canada. (2011). Farm and farm operator data [Table]. Retrieved from http://www29.statcan.gc.ca/ceag-web/eng/index- index;jsessionid=D68BABE4379BC41D58B112C4B2FAFFB8

Statistics Canada. (2013). Labour force survey estimates [Table 282-0061]. Retrieved from http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a47

Statistics Canada. (2011). Population and dwelling counts [Table]. Retrieved from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table- Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=304&PR=12&S=51&O=A&RPP=10

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Appendix Map of Cape Breton County

Note: Retrieved from Cape Breton Estates, 2009.