Statistics Canada Highlights for BC

October 11, 2012

Farm Area:   Total farm area in British Columbia decreased 7.9% between 2006 and 2011 to 6.5 million acres. British Columbia had 4.0% of the total farm area in Canada in 2011. Of the total farm area in British Columbia in 2011, 61.7% was pasture land (tame or seeded pasture and natural land for pasture). Cropland accounted for an additional 23.0%. Farm operators reported 1.5 million acres of cropland in 2011, up 2.3% from 2006. The province accounted for 1.7% of cropland reported in Canada. Cropland is the total area used in field crops, hay fruits, field vegetables, sod and nursery. The majority of cropland (93.9%) in British Columbia was reported as field crops and hay. The proportion of hay decreased from 66.8% in 2006 to 64.1% in 2011.

Livestock: The total number of dairy cows in the province increased 1.3% since 2006 to 73,707 head in 2011. The number of beef cattle reported for breeding purposes (beef cows and beef heifers) decreased by 26.9% since 2006, totalling 229,268 head in 2011.

Other highlights:

  • Alfalfa area in British Columbia increased 7.9% since 2006 to 538,438 acres in 2011 while other tame hay area decreased 12.2% to 411,225 acres
  • Grape area increased 17.6% since 2006 to 9,169 acres in 2011 while apple area decreased 12.7% to 9,646 acres.
  • The 2011 Census marked the first time farm operators were asked to report the area from which crop residue was baled for bedding or sale. In 2010, crop residue was baled from 54,189 acres in British Columbia.

Read more at the Statistics Canada website.