Lac La Biche County

CONNECTED TO GLOBAL MARKETS

Lac La Biche County benefits from vast agricultural resources including low cost

grazing lands and flat crop lands in the southern region of the county. Agriculture in the County has grown

significantly since 2011 seeing major increases in the amount of acres of wheat, canola, barley and oats. Cattle and calves saw a 18% increase hitting a total of over 20,000 head in 2016.

The Lac La Biche region has the “Northern Advantage” for growing Industrial Hemp for seed and fibre. The global market demand for Hemp fibre is trending up and with the longer days in late spring and early summer the same hemp variety can grow much taller plants and produce 20-30% higher yields of stalks than in southern regions.

Lac La Biche County is a logistics hub that serves all industries. The County is served by Highways 35, 55, 63, and 881 which reach provincial, national, and international markets. The regional airport has an all-weather 1,765 m paved, lighted runway, fixed wing aircraft and helicopter charter. CN provides rail transport through Lac La

Biche County, which offers opportunities for rail-spurs.

Farming Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Number of Farms 239 238 -0.42% Lac La Biche County has 238 Total Land Area - km2 12,572.29 12,572.29 0.00% Land in Crops - acres 86,778 97,619 12.49% farms with almost 100,000

Natural land for pasture - acres 91,263 94,028 3.03% acres in crop land with gross Number of Farm Operators 345 345 0.00% Number of Employees 142 102 -28.17% farm receipts estimated at

Gross Farm Receipts $20,420,884 $31,802,783 55.74% approximately $31.8 million in *Source: Statistics Census of Agriculture, and community information. Figures are based on number of farms reporting. 2016, a 55.74% increase from 2011. Crop Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Canola - acres 15,307 18,391 20.15% Wheat - acres 6,749 12,390 83.58% Livestock Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Barley - acres 4,978 6,070 21.94% Value of Livestock & Poultry $15,644,158 $46,360,069 196.34% Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures - acres 39,688 35,960 -9.39% Cattle and Calves # 18,018 21,192 17.62% All other tame hay and fodder crops - acres 8,461 9,110 7.67% Dairy Cows # n/a n/a Oats - acres 10,227 12,068 18.00% Beef Cows # n/a n/a Dry field peas - acres 0 1,110 Heifers # 1,625 2,183 34.34% Fruits, Berries and Nuts - acres n/a n/a Calves # 7,047 7,953 12.86% Lentils - acres 0 0 Steers # 417 531 27.34% Total rye - acres n/a 0 Bulls # 471 528 12.10% Flaxseed - acres 0 0 Pigs # 29 40 37.93% Vegetables - acres (excluding greenhouses) 10 n/a Hens and Chickens # 6,411 n/a Total greenhouse area in use - square feet 4,904 n/a Sheep and Lambs # 269 604 124.54% *Source: Census of Agriculture, and community information. *Source: Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture, and community information. Figures are based on number of farms reporting." Figures are based on number of farms reporting." n/a - not available from Statistics Canada Census data n/a - not available from Statistics Canada Census datan data

The County has experienced a 196% increase in the Value of Livestock & Poultry

in five years, with valuations over $46 million in 2016.

The Agriculture and

Forestry, Statistics and Data Development Section lists the value of agricultural land in the County as $2,374/acre in 2015.

Northeast Alberta Information HUB Ltd. | 5015-49 Avenue St. Paul, AB, T0A 3A4 | (780) 645-1155 www.albertahub.com Lac La Biche County | Box 1679 | Lac La Biche, AB, T0A 2C0 | (780) 623-1747 | www.laclabichecounty.com Alberta HUB strives to provide current and accurate information however this information is subject to change.