Farming in Canada
Crop Farming
In Canadian crop production, grains are king!
Nearly 11 billion hectares of land owned by crop farmers grow wheat. Much of this land is on the Prairies, especially Saskatchewan. Certain crops are grown in certain areas of Canada because those areas may have the right climate and conditions for those specific crops. Some crops produced in Canada are exported to other countries.
Animal Farming
Most animal produce from Canada is consumed by Canadians.
40% of cattle and calves are raised in Alberta...
WHY?
Dairy farming in Canada
In Canadian crop production, grains are king!
Nearly 11 billion hectares of land owned by crop farmers grow wheat. Much of this land is on the Prairies, especially Saskatchewan. Certain crops are grown in certain areas of Canada because those areas may have the right climate and conditions for those specific crops. Some crops produced in Canada are exported to other countries.
Animal Farming
Most animal produce from Canada is consumed by Canadians.
40% of cattle and calves are raised in Alberta...
WHY?
- Alberta has Fertile grasslands
- There is a lot of precipitation
- It is cheap to transport the meat in refrigerated trucks and rail cars
Dairy farming in Canada
- Difficult to transport milk over long distances
- Dairy cows must be milked twice a day.
- Takes a lot of work!
- Local dairy farms are scattered across the country
Affects on the Environment
Pesticides and herbicides are added to the fields because they kill insects, weeds, or fungi
Why is this an issue? These chemicals added to the fields can be harmful for the environment. Example: In Prince Edward Island, in 2002, rain washed pesticides off potato fields and into streams, killing large numbers of fish. |
Farmers add fertilizers like manure to the soil to enrich it.
Why is this an issue? Untreated manure can harm the environment because it can contain bacteria that could be harmful to humans and other animals. Example: In Walkerton, Ontario rain water carried untreated manure into streams, rivers, and wells. seven people died and hundreds became seriously ill. |
A sustainable farm system is one that will flourish into the future without harming the environment.