Nova Scotia Farm Cash Receipts Surpass $400 Million

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Nova Scotia Farm Cash Receipts Surpass $400 Million

Nova Scotia's agriculture industry achieved a $420 million milestone in the year 2000.

Government statistics project that the province's farm cash receipts last year surpassed the $400 million level for the first time. And they're expected to increase by another 2 1/2 per cent this year.

The statistics are compiled by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Statistics Canada, and the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

"Four hundred million dollars is an encouraging and positive achievement for the industry," said Ernest Fage, provincial Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Nova Scotia's agriculture industry is a highly diversified one, noted Mr. Fage. Situations vary for each sector and each commodity has its own challenges, but it was generally a good year.

Statistics indicate that improved livestock and fur prices were major contributors to higher sales receipts, as were increased poultry and mink production. Cattle and hog prices both recovered during the year, showing marked improvements. Poultry production increased by six per cent, while the number of mink pelts sold was up by 19 per cent, with significantly higher prices.

Compared with the drought conditions of the previous three years, the 2000 growing season was considered more normal, with generally good conditions for most crops. Better yields of strawberries, potatoes and many vegetable crops were part of the higher returns. The blueberry crop, at 41.3 million lbs. (18.7 million kilograms), was slightly larger than the previous record 1999 crop. The apple harvest yielded an average-sized crop of 2.5 million bushels. The quality of fresh fruit benefited from the more normal conditions.

Forage crops and supplies were also given a boost from early and late summer rainfalls and good harvesting weather.

On the cost side, operating expenditures are projected to have increased by 3.6 per cent to a total of $321 million. Heating and vehicle/machinery fuel costs increased by between $3 million and $4 million and accounted for a third of the increase. In recent years, wages have become the largest expenditure of Nova Scotia farms, and last year they amounted to about $84 million.

As for 2001, forecasters are predicting farm cash receipts to increase by 2.1 per cent to $429.1 million, based on factors such as the higher receipts currently being received at fur auctions and sales of stored crops, and the higher poultry production. These factors are fairly predictable, but many others that can impact upon production and market returns over the coming months are difficult to predict.

kjd February 5, 2001 10 44 a.m.