Statistical Profile of County

Prepared by the Federation of Agriculture 1

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 Colchester County ...... 5 4.1 Number of Farms ...... 5 4.2 Farm Revenue ...... 7 4.3 Farm Expenses ...... 10 4.3 Land Use ...... 12 4.3 Farm Size ...... 13 Bibliography ...... 15 Appendix ...... 16

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1.0 Introduction

Agriculture in the Local Economy

Colchester County is home to a variety of farm production activities from fruit and tree nut farming to animal production. This agricultural diversity and innovation is important to economic development in Colchester County. In 2010, Colchester County farms reported a total of approximately $60.8 million in farm receipts which accounted for 10.22% of all receipts reported in Nova Scotia. In the same year, farms in Colchester County reported a total business operating expense of approximately $49.7 million. Thus, agriculture in Colchester produced a surplus of $11.1 million.

In terms of employment, health care, trade, manufacturing, and education are the dominant industries in the Northern region. Although employment in agriculture in Colchester is lower than in other industries, agriculture remains significant sector to the local economy. The emerging industry of agri-tourism also benefits the local economy and promotes local agriculture. Agri-tourism projects in Colchester County include farmers’ markets, U-picks, farm accommodations and the annual exhibition.

Since 2006, the number of acres used for farming purposes and the number of farms have both increased in Colchester County. Indeed, Colchester County ranks fourth among all counties in regard to its use of arable land (“Colchester County,” para. 3). With 15% of arable land being used for agricultural production, Colchester surpasses the provincial average of 13% (“Colchester County,” para. 3). It is clear that agriculture remains a vital industry to the economy in Colchester and will continue to play its role in the future of Nova Scotia’s economy.

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2.0 Population and Population Change

Between the years 2006 and 2011, Colchester County experienced a total population increase of 1.9% or a total of 945 people. Table 1 demonstrates that Colchester experienced an increase in population across all census subdivisions. Millbrook had the highest percentage change of 20.5%. Colchester County’s population growth (1.9%) exceeded that of Nova Scotia’s (0.9%).

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

Area 2011 2006 % Change Colchester County 50,968 50,023 1.9 Subdivision A 3,642 3,525 3.3 Subdivision B 19,643 19,297 1.8 Subdivision C 13,339 13,312 0.2 Millbrook 847 703 20.5 1,438 1,421 1.2 Truro 12,059 11,765 2.5 Note: Adapted from , 2011.

The population of Colchester County is predominately concentrated in rural regions. Since 2006, both population centres and rural areas experienced a population increase of approximately 3.3% and 1.4% respectively.

Table 2: Colchester County, Rural and Population Centres1, 2006-2011

2011 2006

Population % of Total Population % of Total

Rural 36,624 71.9 36,134 72.2

Population Centre 14,344 28.1 13,889 27.8

Total 50,968 100 50,023 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

3.0 Economic Profile

In 2013, the Northern region (including Colchester, Cumberland, , Guysborough, and Antigonish)2 represented approximately 26% of the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia. Although, an

1 Population centre refers to an area of at least 1,000 and no fewer than 400 persons per square kilometer. Beginning in 2011, the term ‘population centre’ replaces the term ‘urban area’ from previous censuses. 4

estimate for Colchester County is not specifically given, the data indicates that its geographic region is a significant component to the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia.

In comparison to the other industries in the Northern region, agriculture accounted for approximately 2.03% of all jobs in the region, which is higher than the provincial average of 1.17%. The industries with the highest employment in the Northern region were trade, health care and social assistance, manufacturing and educational services.

Table 3: Northern Region, Total Employment by Industry, 2013

Nova % of Nova Scotia's % of Northern Region's Industry Scotia Total Employment Northern Total Employment Total employed, all industries 453,800 100 68,800 100 Agriculture 5,300 1.17 1,400 2.03 Forestry, fishing, mining, etc. 11,200 2.47 2,100 3.05 Utilities 4,600 1.01 600 0.87 Construction 33,500 7.38 4,900 7.12 Manufacturing 30,600 6.74 7,200 10.47 Trade 73,000 16.09 13,000 18.9 Transportation and warehousing 19,600 4.32 3,600 5.23 Finance, insurance, real estate and leasing 22,100 4.87 2,000 2.91 Professional, scientific and technical services 27,800 6.13 2,100 3.05 Business, building and other support services 23,500 5.18 2,500 3.63 Educational services 36,700 8.09 5,400 7.85 Health care and social assistance 69,400 15.29 11,400 16.57 Information, culture and recreation 19,300 4.25 2,100 3.05 Accommodation and food services 29,000 6.39 4,400 6.4 Other services 18,600 4.1 2,800 4.07 Public administration 29,400 6.48 3,200 4.65 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 Northern region.

2 The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) divides Nova Scotia into 5 geographical regions. The Northern region includes Colchester, Cumberland, Pictou, Guysborough, and Antigonish 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. 5

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16 14 12 10 8 6

4 %of Total Employed 2 Nova Scotia 0 Northern Region

Industry

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

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.

4.0 Agricultural Profile of Colchester County

4.1 Number of Farms

From 2006 to 2011, the total number of farms in Colchester County had increased by thirteen. Table 4 indicates that the predominant farm type in Colchester County was fruit and tree nut (35.8%), cattle ranching (21.5%), and other crop farming (16.3%). Indeed, fruit and tree nut farming remains a dominant farm activity in Colchester and has increased since 2006 from 141 to 163 farms (1.56%). In addition, other animal production; sheep and goat; oilseed and grain; and other crop farming have all increased since 2006. All other types of farm production have either decreased or remained the same. 6

Table 4: Colchester 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 98 21.5 126 28.5 -22.22 Hog and pig farming 4 0.9 4 0.9 25 Poultry and egg production 4 0.9 4 0.9 25 Sheep and goat farming 16 3.5 13 2.9 23.08 Other animal production 49 10.8 45 10.2 8.89 Oilseed and grain farming 6 1.3 3 0.7 100 Vegetable and melon farming 4 0.9 14 3.2 -71.43 Fruit and tree nut farming 163 35.8 141 31.9 1.56 Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production 37 8.1 46 10.4 -19.57 Other crop farming 74 16.3 46 10.4 60.87 Total farms 455 100 442 100 2.94 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In comparison to Nova Scotia, Colchester County had a higher percentage in several farm types including cattle ranching; hog and pig; sheep and goat; and fruit and tree nut farming. It is evident that the percentage of fruit and tree nut farming (35.8%) in Colchester County was significantly higher than the provincial percentage of 24.8%. The percentage of greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production in Colchester County fell below that of the provincial average by 6%.

40 35 30 25 20 15 10

%of Total Farms 5 0 Colchester Nova Scotia

Farm Type

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

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011. 7

Table 5 demonstrates that Colchester’s Subdivision B had the highest percentage of farms in the county (40.22%) while Subdivision A had the lowest percentage of farms (25.71%).

Table 5: Total Number of Farms by Farm Type by Census Subdivision, 20113

Colchester Colchester Colchester Colchester Farm Type County Subd. A Subd. B Subd. C Cattle ranching and farming 98 9 38 51

Hog and pig farming 4 2 0 2

Poultry and egg production 4 1 3 0

Sheep and goat farming 16 3 6 7

Other animal production 49 6 28 15

Oilseed and grain farming 6 1 1 4

Vegetable and melon farming 4 2 0 2 Fruit and tree nut farming 163 76 55 32 Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production 37 4 14 19 Other crop farming 74 13 38 23

Total farms 455 117 183 155 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.2 Farm Revenue

Farms in Colchester County reported approximately $60.8 million in farm receipts in 2010 which had increased from approximately $52.9 million in 2006. Despite an increase in revenue between 2006 and 2010, Colchester County experienced a decline in its percentage of Nova Scotia’s total farm receipts. In 2006, Colchester County’s revenue formed 10.39% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue. Meanwhile in 2010, Colchester County’s revenue constituted 10.22% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue.

Table 6: Total Farm Receipts for Colchester County and Nova Scotia, 2006-2010

2010 2006 % Change Nova Scotia $ 594,903,481.00 $ 509,520,691.00 16.76 Colchester County $ 60,819,398.00 $ 52,943,558.00 14.88 % of Nova Scotia's receipts 10.22 10.39 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

3 According to Statistics Canada, a census subdivision is an area that is a or an area that is deemed to be equivalent to a municipality for statistical reporting purposes. 8

According to the census, Subdivision C reported approximately 52% of Colchester County’s total farm receipts. This subdivision also had the highest receipt per farm with an approximate average of $202,000. Subdivisions A and B had receipts per farm lower than the County’s average of approximately $134,000. Subdivision C was the only region to report an average receipt per farm higher than the provincial average receipt per farm of $152,344.

Table 7: Total Farm Receipts by Census Subdivision for Colchester County, 2010

Total Farms Total Farm Receipts % of County Total Receipts per Farm

Colchester County 455 $ 60,819,398.00 100 $ 133,669.01

Colchester Subd. A 117 $ 14,930,939.00 24.55 $ 127,614.86

Colchester Subd. B 183 $ 14,543,630.00 23.91 $ 79,473.39

Colchester Subd. C 155 $ 31,344,829.00 51.54 $ 202,224.70 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

In 2010, 73.85% of farms in Colchester County reported receipts of an amount less than $50,000. Farm receipts under $10,000 appeared to be the most popular category with 176 farms reporting receipts of this amount. These reports constituted 38.68% of the total farm receipts for Colchester County.

Table 8: Total Number of Farms in Colchester County by Farm Receipts, 2006-2010

Farm Receipts Category 2010 2006 # of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total Under $10,000 176 38.68 151 34.16 $10,000 to $24,999 108 23.74 89 20.14 $25,000 to $49,999 52 11.43 49 11.09 $50,000 to $99,999 23 5.05 44 9.95 $100,000 to $249,999 34 7.47 42 9.5 $250,000 to $499,999 33 7.25 42 9.5 $500,000 to $999,999 16 3.52 16 3.63 $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 9 1.98 7 1.58 $2,000,000 and over 4 0.88 2 0.45 Total Farms 455 100 442 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Figure 3 demonstrates that the percentage of farm receipts for Colchester and Nova Scotia were similarly distributed across all categories. 9

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40 35 30 25 20 15 10

5 Nova Scotia %of Total Farm Receipts 0 Colchester

Farm Receipts Category

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

Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

Table 9 displays the reports for each farm receipts category according to each census subdivision. In each subdivision, more farms reported receipts under $10,000.

Table 9: Total Number of Farm by Total Farm Receipts Category by Census Subdivision, 2010

Nova Colchester Colchester Colchester Colchester Farm Receipts Category Scotia County Subd. A Subd. B Subd. C Under $10,000 1,643 176 52 74 50 $10,000 to $24,999 799 108 37 40 31 $25,000 to $49,999 418 52 11 25 16 $50,000 to $99,999 273 23 3 13 7 $100,000 to $249,999 277 34 6 11 17 $250,000 to $499,999 199 33 3 13 17 $500,000 to $999,999 154 16 2 6 8 $1,000,000 to $1,999,999 92 9 1 1 7 $2,000,000 and over 50 4 2 0 2

Total Farms 3,905 455 117 183 155 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011. 10

4.3 Farm Expenses

In 2010, the total farm business operating expense for Colchester County was $49,723,543. In Colchester, the average business operating expense per farm was approximately $109,300 which was lower than the provincial average of approximately $128,000. It is evident that the greatest expenses for farms were total wages and salaries ($10,435,218), other expenses excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance ($7,501,996), and total feed, supplement and hay purchases ($7,131,171). Interest expenses in Colchester County were about 5.9% of total farm expenses while the provincial average was 5.2%. 11

Table 10: Farm Business Operating Expenses for Colchester County and Nova Scotia, 2010

Nova Scotia Colchester County

Farms Farms Reporting Amount $ Reporting Amount $ Fertilizer and lime purchases 1,957 $ 13,201,434.00 237 $ 1,982,900.00 Purchases of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. 1,459 $ 11,734,327.00 214 $ 1,344,432.00 Seed and plant purchases (excluding materials purchased for resale) 1,286 $ 10,952,683.00 145 $ 2,126,795.00 Total feed, supplements and hay purchases 1,825 $ 108,870,856.00 213 $ 7,131,171.00 Livestock and poultry purchases 1,067 $ 30,507,684.00 121 $ 3,171,192.00 Veterinary services, drugs, semen, breeding fees, etc. 1,517 $ 8,710,636.00 177 $ 1,333,937.00 Custom work, contract work and hired trucking 1,665 $ 28,483,557.00 219 $ 2,430,410.00 Total wages and salaries 1,521 $ 101,190,562.00 168 $ 10,435,218.00 All fuel expenses (diesel, gas, etc.) 3,644 $ 26,035,222.00 426 $ 3,033,471.00 Repairs and maintenance to farm machinery, equipment and vehicles 3,344 $ 22,441,124.00 395 $ 2,709,215.00 Repairs and maintenance to farm buildings and fences 2,301 $ 10,367,519.00 249 $ 944,455.00 Rental and leasing of land and buildings 581 $ 4,145,716.00 77 $ 435,605.00 Rental and leasing of farm machinery, equipment and vehicles 515 $ 5,818,991.00 56 $ 786,545.00 Electricity, telephone and all other telecommunication services 2,898 $ 11,790,016.00 337 $ 1,415,970.00 Farm interest expenses 1,579 $ 26,107,223.00 197 $ 2,940,231.00 All other expenses (excluding depreciation and capital cost allowance) 3,352 $ 80,190,026.00 387 $ 7,501,996.00 Total farm business operating expenses 3,905 $ 500,547,576.00 455 $ 49,723,543.00 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011. 12

In 2006, Colchester County farms reported a total of $41,999,124 in farm business expenses with an average expense per farm of approximately $95,000. On the other hand, in 2010, farms reported an amount of $49,723,543 with an average expense per farm of approximately $109,000. Therefore, farms in Colchester County increased their average operating expense by approximately $14,000 in four years.

Table 11: Total Farm Business Operating Expenses Colchester County, 2006-2010

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

2010 455 $ 49,723,543.00 $ 109,282.51

2006 442 $ 41,999,124.00 $ 95,020.64 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 Colchester County (57.07%). Furthermore, land in crops made up 27.82% of Colchester’s land use. Summer fallow, tame of seeded pasture, natural land for pasture, and other land composed the remaining farmland (15.11%).

In comparison to provincial land use, Colchester County had a higher percentage of land used for crops, tame of seeded pasture, and Christmas trees, woodlands, and wetlands. On the other hand, Nova Scotia’s percentage of total land use was higher than the Colchester County in all other categories.

Table 12: Land Use for Colchester County and Nova Scotia, 2011

Land Use Colchester County Nova Scotia

# of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 39,879 27.82 280,889 27.59

Summer Fallow 137 0.09 1,145 0.11

Tame of Seeded Pasture 7,391 5.16 52,271 5.13

Natural Land for Pasture 7,262 5.07 62,142 6.11 Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 81,804 57.07 559,664 54.97

All Other Land 6,860 4.79 61,964 6.09

Total 143,333 100 1,018,075 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011. 13

The number of acres used for farming purposes had increased since 2006 from 125,036 acres to 143,333 acres. Since 2006, there had been an increase in the percentage of total land used for Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands. However, there had been a decrease in the percentage of total land used for all other types of land.

Table 13: Land Use in Colchester County, 2006-2011

Land Use 2011 2006 # of Acres % of Total # of Acres % of Total Land in Crops (excluding Christmas tree area) 39,879 27.82 40,905 32.71 Summer Fallow 137 0.09 197 0.16 Tame of Seeded Pasture 7,391 5.16 8,735 6.99

Natural Land for Pasture 7,262 5.07 6,410 5.13 Area in Christmas trees, Woodlands and Wetlands 81,804 57.07 61,250 48.99 All Other Land 6,860 4.79 7,539 6.02 Total 143,333 100 125,036 100 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.

4.5 Farm Size

In 2011, the average farm size in Colchester County was approximately 315 acres which was higher than the provincial average of approximately 260 acres. In comparison to the provincial average farm size, Subdivision C had a higher average while Subdivisions A and B’s average fell slightly below it.

Table 14: Total Acres and Average Farm Size in Colchester County and Nova Scotia, 2011

Average Farm Total Farms Total Acres Size (acres)

Nova Scotia 3,905 1,018,075 260.71

Colchester County 455 143,333 315.02

Colchester Subd. A 117 29,686 253.73

Colchester Subd. B 183 40,668 222.23

Colchester Subd. C 155 72,979 470.83 Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011. 14

In Colchester County, approximately 46% of reporting farms owned less than 129 acres. Indeed, the most common acreage size in Colchester was between 10 to 69 acres (102 farms reported). In total, the farms with these acreage sizes accounted for almost 22% of Colchester farms.

Table 15: Total Farms by Farm Size Category for Colchester 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 3,905 406 907 637 317 343 574 302 192 227 Colchester County 455 32 102 76 37 41 73 33 29 32 Colchester Subd. A 117 9 34 22 17 5 13 5 5 7 Colchester Subd. B 183 11 43 33 17 23 27 14 9 6 Colchester Subd. C 155 12 25 21 3 13 33 14 15 19 Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.

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Bibliography

(2013). Colchester County: Profile of Agricultural Land Resources. Retrieved from http://novascotia.ca/agri/documents/business-research/AL1006%20Colchester.pdf

Retson. (2011). Colchester County. [Image]. Retrieved from http://retson.ca/placenames.html

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 Colchester County

Note: Retrieved from Retson.ca, 2011.