Industry Sector Profile: Agriculture

Agriculture Industry At a Glance

Agriculture stands as a priority sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, holding immense potential to bolster economic growth and self-sufficiency. Greenhouse and nursery farming are prominent, providing a range of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Livestock farming is also essential to the industry, encompassing dairy, poultry, and cattle, producing a steady supply of dairy products, eggs, and meat.

A Push For Local

Recognizing the industry’s significance, the government supports initiatives like the Newfoundland and Labrador Farm Guide, providing information on local farms and their wide range of products. Furthermore, investments in research and development programs reflect the government’s commitment to fostering agriculture’s growth and diversification, considering challenges such as global competition, climate change, biosecurity risks, and industry consolidation.

RESEARCH

Newfoundland and Labrador’s government supports a robust Agriculture Research and Development Program with an annual budget of $1 million. This initiative emphasizes industry-driven, applied research and demonstration, fostering collaboration between scientists and local producers in “Living Laboratory” settings. The program seeks to enhance competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation in the agriculture sector.

DAIRY

Dairy is the most valuable agricultural commodity in Newfoundland and Labrador, contributing $125 million to the provincial economy and employing over 1,200 people. The province’s dairy facilities house around 6,000 cows and 2,200 calves and heifers. These cows, mainly Holsteins, produce approximately 50 million litres of milk annually, with most consumed as fresh milk, totaling 100,000 litres each day!

SUSTAINABILITY

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $3.5-billion initiative designed to enhance Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. The program aims to improve environmental performance, support innovation and public trust, promote marketing and sector growth, and enhance sector resiliency and diversity.

The agriculture and agrifoods industry provides direct and indirect employment for 6,500+ people.

INDUSTRY SHOWCASE

Tuck’s Bee Better Farm has a vision to become the leading apiary on the island of Newfoundland with a five year operating plan focusing on Beekeeping:

1 – Annually producing and expanding healthy honeybee colonies
2 – Renting out honeybee colonies to local farmers, in particular cranberry farmers, during pollination season
3 – Producing high quality honey and value added products
4 – Ensuring sufficient land base for increasing the size of the apiary and thus increasing the capacity for honey production