Agricultural Inventory Project
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2009 DEVELOPMENT October October TLE RIVER ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC T BA Agricultural Inventory Project K. Polturak Management & Consulting Inc. Box 2336 Lac La Biche, Alberta T0A 2C0 (780) 984 2060 Showcasing The Agricultural Diversity of the Battle River Region K. Polturak Management & KP Consulting Inc. ‘enhancing individual and organizational performance’ October 30, 2009 Battle River Alliance for Economic Development Box 373 5023 – 50 St. Killam, Alberta T0B 2L0 Dear Ms. Beddoes, Mr. Krause and Agriculture Task Team members: I am pleased to submit this final report ‘Agricultural Inventory Project’ to the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development Agriculture Task Team. The report showcases the diverse agricultural products produced, processed and manufactured in the geographic region encompassing the Counties of Beaver, Camrose, Flagstaff, Paintearth, the Municipal Districts of Provost and Wainwright, the City of Camrose and the Village of Consort. Many public sources were used to obtain as much information as possible. This was augmented with telecom contact with the individuals who operated or managed the agricultural operation. The main body of the report concludes with a series of statistical tables comparing crop and livestock production between the 1996, 2001 and 2006 agricultural censuses. The information contained herein will assist the task team in the development of a strategic plan to identify markets, promote locally produced products and support the continued growth of the local agricultural community. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. Your truly, KLPolturak Kal Polturak Principal and CEO Table of Contents Background………………………………………………………………………..................................1 Approach To Research…………………………………………………………..................................1 Organizations and Producer Groups…………………………………………...................................3 Beaver County…...........................................................................................................................5 Camrose, City of…………………………………………................................................................13 Camrose County…………………………………………………………….......................................14 Flagstaff County………………………………………………………………....................................27 Paintearth County…………………………………………………………….....................................36 Provost, Municipal District……………………………………………………...................................41 Wainwright, Municipal District…..................................................................................................45 Village of Consort………………………………………………………………..................................52 Business Opportunities for BRAED Producers............................................................................53 Business Challenges ..................................................................................................................54 BRAED Summary Appendix References Alberta Major Crops Production 1957 – 2008 Alberta Major Crops Unit Values 1957 – 2008 The Following All for 1996, 2001, 2006 Census of Agriculture Field Crops Reported for Selected Municipalities Other Livestock Inventory for Selected Municipalities Pig Inventory of Selected Municipalities Poultry Inventory for Selected Municipalities Cattle and Calf Inventory for Selected Municipalities Sheep and Lamb Inventory for Selected Municipalities Map Battle River Alliance for Economic Development Agriculture Inventory Project Background The purpose of the agricultural inventory project is to assist the Battle River Alliance for Economic Development (BRAED) task team to identify and promote to area residents new economic opportunities in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products industries. The information provided in the agricultural inventory project will be supplemented with a strategic plan that when implemented will support the agricultural industry in the BRAED region. Arable land consisting of 2,111,614.6 hectares (5,217,892 acres) allows for a diverse richness in the agricultural products produced and processed. With 4,557 farms of an average size of 516.6 hectares (1,276.3 acres) cattle, other livestock, grain and oilseed production are the dominant agricultural activities within the BRAED region. Raw products range from grains and pulses to livestock producers, other animal breeders and fish hatcheries. Value added products include seed cleaning plants, feed mills, honey and meat processing to greenhouse operators. BRAED area producers have good reason to be proud of their commitment to agriculture. With on-going efforts to improve their operations by implementing national and internationally recognized safety programs, quality control measures to ensure compliance for organic products, to winning awards the producers and processors are truly professionals in their fields. Approach to Research The approach taken to develop the agriculture inventory was to research each BRAED community on Albertafirst.com, review each community’s business directory, research government and producer association/organization web sites for membership lists. Government sources include Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Statistics Canada and related web sites such as Alberta Food Processors Association and Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association. Association and organization web sources include livestock breeders’ associations, organic producers and industry business listings. Statistics Canada 2006 ‘Farms Classified by Industry’ report for Alberta counties and municipal districts reported that there are 36 dairy cattle and milk producers and 1,622 beef cattle ranching and farms including feedlots in the BRAED area. Special Area No. 4 excepted since only the village of Consort within that rural area is a BRAED member. The report does not identify all 1,622 beef cattle ranchers within the geographic scope of the project, rather it 1 identifies those producers whom are members of their respective associations which publish a member directory. Producers and processors who are members of their respective organizations which openly promote their members are fairly represented in this inventory report; non – member producers may be missed due to the vast number of operators who work independently who may not join or register with any organization. Producers not promoted by their respective associations have been identified through their affiliations with organizations promoting organic production or culinary tourism, for example. Many producer groups such as the poultry, dairy, elk and pork associations do not publish their membership list. Assistance was requested from the association management in providing as much general information relative to the BRAED area as possible. General information and oftentimes the geographical location for these producer groups in these categories was obtained from numerous other sources when cross referenced with a multitude of websites. Businesses supplying services and retail to the agricultural community are generally not included in this inventory. Examples of these types of services would be custom seeding services, retail sales of feed, fertilizer, and chemicals. All agricultural societies were contacted to obtain current local information regarding local farmers’ markets and other initiatives. The information provided has been included in the main body of the report. Agricultural field personnel in the counties and municipal districts were contacted as well for specific local information. The information gathered was then followed up with telecom contact for clarification. The presentation of the inventory is presented by counties and municipal districts because all of the producers have mailing addresses in a town or village including communities which are not BRAED members but again the operation is actually located within the rural area either in a county or municipal district. Businesses physically located within non BRAED villages and towns have been excluded from this inventory. The village of Consort presents a unique situation in that it is the only BRAED member within Special Area No 4. The same methodology was used for this community, however, all producers and processors showing Consort as the mailing address were included to indicate that these businesses are members of the Consort business community. Agricultural producers and related businesses in municipalities other than Consort within Special Area No. 4 are not included in the inventory. Each county or municipal district is further categorized by highlighting the hamlet, village and town in an alphabetical order with each producer and processor in that particular community then recorded in a similar fashion. Producers and processors in the BRAED region are members of numerous organizations and associations and it is only appropriate that these organizations and associations be introduced to the reader prior to the main body of the report. 2 Organizations and Producer Groups Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association – membership is voluntary in this non profit organization representing direct market growers. Most growers market directly to consumers via u-pick farms, farm gate and/or through farmers’ markets. AFFPA is dedicated to supporting the production of farm direct market vegetable crops, berries and fruits, bedding plants, perennials, herbs, flowers, meats, poultry, eggs and other specialty items in Alberta. ‘Verified Beef Producers’ (VBP) – is Canada’s verified on-farm food safety program for beef – a dynamic