The County of Vermilion River

CONNECTED TO GLOBAL MARKETS

Agriculture is a major economic sector for the County of Vermilion River with feedstock ranging from cereal grains such as wheat, oats and barley to pulse crops like peas and lentils. Major investment opportunities exist for value-added agriculture businesses. The County of Vermilion River saw phenomenal growth with a 5-year 45% increase in gross farm receipts, hitting $405.9 million in 2016.

Agriculture is strongly supported in Vermilion, Marwayne, , Paradise Valley, Dewberry and Clandonald. Sector support includes grain terminals, seed cleaning plants, machinery agents, veterinary services, agriculture research and business support services. Seed Cleaning Plants that offer cleaning services for cereals, oilseeds, pulse crops, pedigreed seed, commercial seed, dockage and removal separations are in Vermilion, Kitscoty, Paradise

Valley and Clandonald.

The major east-west route in the region, Hwy 16 runs through the County of Vermilion River connecting to the ports of Prince Rupert and Vancouver. Hwy 41, a main north-south route to the U.S. markets intersects with Hwy 16 in the County. Hwy 45 (east-west) is another primary route connecting to the market. Air service is offered at the Vermilion Airport which is a paved, lighted, year-round facility with a 3,300-foot runway. A 286,000lb capacity rail line operated by CN passes through Vermilion and Kitscoty which offers terminal access points.

Farming Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Number of Farms 1,029 1,052 2.24% Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture: Total Land Area - km2 5,519.75 5,519.75 0.00% The County of Vermilion River was the leader in Land in Crops - Acres 728,723 763,580 4.78% introducing ALUS (Alternative Land Use Natural land for pasture - Acres 291,485 303,450 4.10% Services) to . ALUS invests in farmers Number of Farm Operators 1,455 1,435 -1.37% and ranchers who are rebuilding nature, one Number of Employees 819 746 -8.91% acre at a time. It enhances community, Gross Farm Receipts $278,186,370 $405,991,767 45.94% improves the environment and strengthens *Source: Statistics Census of Agriculture, and community information. Figures are based on number of farms reporting. agricultural operations. In 2016, there were 44 new ALUS projects covering 230 acres. Crop Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Canola - acres 240,382 255,773 6.40% Wheat - acres 210,801 225,534 6.99% Livestock Overview 2011* 2016* % ± Barley - acres 99,221 82,634 -16.72% Value of Livestock & Poultry $112,034,824 $283,193,398 152.77% Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures - acres 84,423 64,187 -23.97% Cattle and Calves # 145,407 131,376 -9.65% All other tame hay and fodder crops - acres 30,603 27,179 -11.19% Dairy Cows # 212 n/a Oats - acres 23,031 24,513 6.43% Beef Cows # 52,392 n/a Dry field peas - acres 20,473 51,066 149.43% Heifers # 22,388 16,643 -25.66% Quinoa - acres n/a 4,000 Calves # 46,970 42,573 -9.36% Lentils - acres 158 1,845 1,067.72% Steers # 20,103 18,711 -6.92% Total rye - acres 233 334 43.35% Bulls # 3,342 3,495 4.58% Flaxseed - acres 892 1,295 45.18% Pigs # 19,480 n/a Vegetables - acres (excluding greenhouses) 16 n/a Hens and Chickens # 83,043 73,096 -11.98% Total greenhouse area in use - square feet 54,800 n/a Sheep and Lambs # 3,504 3,614 3.14% *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 data

Agriculture is supported by Lakeland College, a hub for innovation and applied research. Livestock research activities include monitoring individual feed intake of cattle and sheep. A crop input intensity

trial is examining the economic and yield benefits of crop inputs at various levels of product use and management. One of the largest student managed farms in Canada is located at the Vermilion campus.

The Alberta Agriculture and

Forestry, Statistics and Data Development Section lists the value of agricultural land in the County as $2,321/acre in 2015.

Northeast Alberta Information HUB Ltd. | 5015-49 Avenue St. Paul, AB, T0A 3A4 | (780) 645-1155 www.albertahub.com County of Vermilion River | 4912 - 50 Ave, Box 69 | Kitscoty, AB Canada T0B 2P0 | (780) 846-2244 | www.vermilion-river.com Alberta HUB strives to provide current and accurate information however this information is subject to change.