GEOG 2LE3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Central Canada, Keystone Pipeline, Agribusiness
19 Apr 2018
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Starting point: von th nen"s land rent model. Land use gets sorted on ability to generate rents. Competition ensures land use with highest rent wins". More intense, higher inputs, and value added closer to market. Extensive, lower cost inputs, and value added farther from market. Agriculture as declining and small sector of economy: Declining population in rural areas (based on 2011 data) Average size of canadian farms: 778 acres ( 6. 9% from 2006. Agri-industry: 8% of gdp, 2. 1 million people employed. 2006: oilseed and grain farms represented 30% of production, while the share of beef farms declined to 18. 2% Median age in 2011 = 54 (2001 = 49) Rural depopulation: pushed by capital intensity (fewer farmers but increased productivity); pulled by urban jobs and amenities; policies also important. North american trend: bigger farms, yet lower contribution to economy and profit from value chain. Agribusiness (agribusiness farm families) becoming dominant; increase of salaried and seasonal workers.
