Statistical Profile of Shelburne County
Prepared by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
1
Contents
1.0
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Agriculture in the Local Economy ......................................................................................................... 2
2.0
Population and Population Change .................................................................................................. 3
3.0
Economic Profile ............................................................................................................................... 4
4.0
Agricultural Profile of Shelburne County .......................................................................................... 6
4.1
Number of Farms .......................................................................................................................... 6
4.2
Farm Revenue ............................................................................................................................... 7
4.3
Farm Expenses .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.4
Land Use ...................................................................................................................................... 10
4.5
Farm Size ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
2
1.0
Introduction
Agriculture in the Local Economy
Shelburne is home to several farm production activities such as cattle ranching and fruit and
tree nut farming. In 2010, Shelburne County farms reported a total of approximately $3.3 million in farm
receipts which accounted for 0.56% of all receipts reported in Nova Scotia. In the same year, farms in
Shelburne County reported a total business operating expense of approximately $2.5 million. Thus,
agriculture in Shelburne produced a surplus of $0.18 million.
In terms of employment, health care, trade, manufacturing, and natural resources are the
dominant industries in the Southern region. Low employment in the agricultural industry may be due
geographical limitations, climate, and a focus on other industries. Although the agri-tourism industry is
not established in Shelburne to the same extent that it is in other parts of Nova Scotia, there are several
events that promote local agriculture. These agri-tourism projects include farmers’ market, farm
accommodations, U-picks, and the annual exhibition.
Despite a decrease in farms since 2006, Shelburne County experienced an increase in the
number of acres used for farming purposes. Indeed, Shelburne County ranks last among all counties in
regard to its use of arable land (“Shelburne County,” para. 3). With less than 1% of arable land being
used for agricultural production, Shelburne falls below the provincial average of 13% (“Shelburne
County,” para. 3). It is clear that although agriculture is not a dominant industry in Shelburne, there is
potential for economic growth through agriculture.
3
2.0
Population and Population Change
Between the years 2006 and 2011, Shelburne County experienced a total population decline of
6.7% or a total of 1048 people. Table 1 demonstrates that Shelburne experienced a decrease in
population across all census subdivisions. Shelburne County’s rate of population change (-6.7%) fell
below that of Nova Scotia’s (0.9%).
Table 1: Population of Shelburne and Census Subdivisions, 2006-2011
Area
2011
14496
6994
4408
820
588
1686
Shelburne County
Barrington (Municipality)
Shelburne (Municipality)
Clark's Harbour (Town)
Lockeport (Town)
Shelburne (Town)
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
2006
% Change
15544
-6.7
7331
-4.6
4828
-8.7
860
-4.7
646
-9
1879
-10.3
The population of Shelburne County is predominately concentrated in rural regions. Since 2006,
both population centres and rural regions experienced population declines of approximately 6.2% and
8.6% respectively.
Table 2: Shelburne County, Rural1 and Population Centres2, 2006-2011
2011
2006
Population % of Total Population % of Total
Rural
11,402
78.7
12,159
78.3
3,094
21.3
3,385
21.7
Total
14,496
100
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
15,544
100
Population Centre
1
In this case, rural refers to municipalities and reserves.
Population centre refers to an area of at least 1,000 and no fewer than 400 persons per square kilometer.
Beginning in 2011, the term ‘population centre’ replaces the term ‘urban area’ from previous censuses.
2
4
3.0
Economic Profile
In 2013, the Southern region (including Digby, Yarmouth, Queens, Shelburne, and Lunenburg)3
represented approximately 15% of the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia. Although, an estimate for
Shelburne County is not specifically given, the data indicates that its geographic region is an important
component to the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia.
In comparison to the other industries in the Southern region, agriculture accounted for
approximately 1.63% of all jobs in the region, which is higher than the provincial average of 1.17%. The
industries with the highest employment in the Southern region were trade, health care and social
assistance, manufacturing and natural resources (i.e. forestry, fishing, etc.).
Table 3: Southern Region, Total Employment by Industry, 2013
3
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) divides Nova Scotia into 5 geographical regions. The
Southern region includes Digby, Yarmouth, Queens, Shelburne, and Lunenburg counties. According to the Labour
Force Survey Estimates (LFS), some areas are too small to enable production of independent estimates from the
survey. Thus, smaller regions with similar economic characteristics are grouped together.
5
Industry
Nova Scotia
Total employed, all industries
453,800
Agriculture
5,300
Forestry, fishing, mining, etc.
11,200
Utilities
4,600
Construction
33,500
Manufacturing
30,600
Trade
73,000
Transportation and
warehousing
19,600
Finance, insurance, real estate
and leasing
22,100
Professional, scientific and
technical services
27,800
Business, building and other
support services
23,500
Educational services
36,700
Health care and social
assistance
69,400
Information, culture and
recreation
19,300
Accommodation and food
services
29,000
Other services
18,600
Public administration
29,400
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.
% of Nova Scotia's
% of Southern Region's
Total Employment Southern
Total Employment
100
49,100
100
1.17
800
1.63
2.47
4,200
8.55
1.01
N/A
N/A
7.38
4,100
8.35
6.74
5,900
12.02
16.09
8,000
16.29
4.32
1,400
2.85
4.87
1,000
2.04
6.13
1,500
3.05
5.18
8.09
2,300
3,900
4.68
7.94
15.29
6,700
13.65
4.25
1,700
3.46
6.39
4.1
6.48
3,300
2,300
1,700
6.72
4.68
3.46
% of Total Employed
Figure 1 displays a clear comparison of the percentages of total employed by each industry in
Nova Scotia and the Southern region.
20
15
10
5
0
Nova Scotia
Southern Region
Industry
Figure 1: % of Total Employed by Industry: Southern Region vs. Nova Scotia, 2013.
6
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2013.
4.0
Agricultural Profile of Shelburne County
4.1
Number of Farms
From 2006 to 2011, the total number of farms in Shelburne County had decreased by two. Table 4
indicates that the predominant farm types in Shelburne County were greenhouse, nursery and
floriculture production (23.5%), fruit and tree nut (23.5%), and other animal production (23.5%).
Although the number of farms is not extensive, several Shelburne farm types declined since 2006. For
example, the number of cattle, vegetable and melon, and greenhouse, nursery and floriculture farms
decreased by 50%, 100%, and 33% respectively. All other types of farm production have either increased
or remained the same.
Table 4: Shelburne County, Total Number of Farms by Farm Type, 2006-2011
Farm Type
2011
2006
% Change
# of Farms % of Total # of Farms % of Total
Cattle ranching and farming
2
11.8
4
21
-50
Hog and pig farming
0
0
0
0
0
Poultry and egg production
0
0
0
0
0
Sheep and goat farming
1
5.9
0
0
0
Other animal production
4
23.5
3
15.8
33.33
Oilseed and grain farming
0
0
0
0
0
Vegetable and melon farming
0
0
1
5.3
-100
Fruit and tree nut farming
Greenhouse, nursery and
floriculture production
4
23.5
4
21
0
4
23.5
6
31.6
-33.33
Other crop farming
2
11.8
1
5.3
100
Total farms
17
Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.
100
19
100
-10.53
In comparison to Nova Scotia, Shelburne County had a higher percentage in other animal and
greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production. It is evident that the percentage of other animal
production (23.5%) in Shelburne County was significantly higher than that of the provincial percentage
of 14.1%. On the other hand, the percentage of cattle ranching in Shelburne County fell below that of
the provincial average by 6.1%.
7
% of Total Farms
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Shelburne
Nova Scotia
Farm Type
Figure 2: % of Total Farms by Farm Type: Shelburne County vs. Nova Scotia, 2011
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
4.2
Farm Revenue
Farms in Shelburne County reported approximately $3.4 million in farm receipts in 2010 which
had dramatically increased from approximately $0.3 million in 2006. In addition to Shelburne County’s
increase in revenue, its percentage of Nova Scotia’s total farm receipts also increased. In 2006,
Shelburne County’s revenue formed 0.05% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue. Meanwhile in 2010,
Shelburne County’s revenue constituted 0.56% of Nova Scotia’s total revenue.
Table 5: Total Farm Receipts for Shelburne County and Nova Scotia, 2006-2010
2010
Nova Scotia
$ 594,903,481.00 $
Shelburne County
$
3,358,464.00 $
% of Nova Scotia's receipts
0.56
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
2006
% Change
509,520,691.00
16.76
270,595.00
1141.14
0.05
In 2010, 64.71% of farms in Shelburne County reported receipts of an amount less than $50,000.
Farm receipts under $10,000 appeared to be the most popular category with seven farms reporting
receipts of this amount. These reports constituted 41.18% of the total farm receipts for Shelburne
County.
8
Table 6: Total Number of Farms in Shelburne County by Farm Receipts, 2006-2010
2010
2006
# of Farms
% of Total
# of Farms
% of Total
Under $10,000
7
41.18
10
52.63
$10,000 to $24,999
3
17.66
4
21.05
$25,000 to $49,999
1
5.88
3
15.79
$50,000 to $99,999
2
11.76
2
10.53
$100,000 to $249,999
2
11.76
0
0
$250,000 to $499,999
0
0
0
0
$500,000 to $999,999
1
5.88
0
0
$1,000,000 to $1,999,999
0
0
0
0
$2,000,000 and over
1
5.88
0
0
Total Farms
17
100
19
100
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
Farm Receipts Category
% of Total Farm Receipts
Figure 3 demonstrates that the percentage of farm receipts for Shelburne and Nova Scotia were
similarly distributed across all categories.
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Nova Scotia
Shelburne County
Farm Receipts Category
Figure 3: % of Total Farms by Farm Receipts Category: Shelburne County vs. Nova Scotia, 2010
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
4.3
Farm Expenses
In 2010, the total farm business operating expense for Shelburne County was $2,521,873. In
Shelburne, the average business operating expense per farm was approximately $148,000 which was
higher than the provincial average of approximately $128,000. It is evident that the greatest expenses
9
for farms were total wages and salaries ($844,950) and other expenses excluding depreciation and
capital cost allowance ($345,194).
Table 5: Farm Business Operating Expenses for Shelburne County and Nova Scotia, 2010
Nova Scotia
Fertilizer and lime purchases
Purchases of herbicides, insecticides,
fungicides, etc.
Farms
Reporting
1,957 $
Shelburne County
Farms
Amount ($)
Reporting
Amount ($)
13,201,434.00
8 $
21,437.00
1,459 $
11,734,327.00
5 $
1,286 $
10,952,683.00
5
1,825 $
1,067 $
108,870,856.00
30,507,684.00
8
5 $
N/A
4,001.00
1,517 $
8,710,636.00
5 $
5,765.00
1,665 $
1,521 $
3,644 $
28,483,557.00
101,190,562.00
26,035,222.00
8 $
7 $
16 $
17,483.00
844,950.00
94,471.00
3,344 $
22,441,124.00
14 $
56,308.00
2,301 $
10,367,519.00
11 $
37,587.00
581 $
4,145,716.00
1
515 $
5,818,991.00
3 $
3,778.00
2,898 $
1,579 $
11,790,016.00
26,107,223.00
12 $
5
33,757.00
N/A
3,352 $
80,190,026.00
10 $
345,194.00
Total farm business operating expenses
3,905 $
Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.
500,547,576.00
17 $
2,521,873.00
Seed and plant purchases (excluding
materials purchased for resale)
Total feed, supplements and hay
purchases
Livestock and poultry purchases
Veterinary services, drugs, semen,
breeding fees, etc.
Custom work, contract work and hired
trucking
Total wages and salaries
All fuel expenses (diesel, gas, etc.)
Repairs and maintenance to farm
machinery, equipment and vehicles
Repairs and maintenance to farm
buildings and fences
Rental and leasing of land and buildings
Rental and leasing of farm machinery,
equipment and vehicles
Electricity, telephone and all other
telecommunication services
Farm interest expenses
All other expenses (excluding
depreciation and capital cost
allowance)
7,075.00
N/A
N/A
10
In 2006, Shelburne County farms reported a total of $409,846 in farm business expenses with an
average expense per farm of approximately $22,000. On the other hand, in 2010, farms reported an
amount of $2,521,873 with an average expense per farm of approximately $148,000. Therefore, farms
in Shelburne County increased their average operating expenses by approximately $127,000 in four
years.
Table 86: Total Farm Business Operating Expenses Shelburne County, 2006-2010
Total Farm Business
Operating Expenses
2010
Farms
Reporting
Average Operating
Expense per Farm
Amount ($)
17 $
2,521,873.00 $
148,345.47
2006
19 $
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
409,846.00 $
21,570.84
4.4
Land Use
In 2011, area in Christmas trees, woodlands and wetlands accounted for most of the land use in
Shelburne County (80.7%). Furthermore, natural land for pasture made up 3.27% of the land use in
Shelburne County. Summer fallow, tame of seeded pasture, land in crops, and other land composed the
remaining farmland (16.03%).
In comparison to provincial land use, Shelburne County had a higher percentage in terms of
Christmas trees, woodlands, and wetlands.
Table 97: Land Use for Shelburne County and Nova Scotia, 2011
Land Use
Shelburne County
# of Acres
Nova Scotia
% of Total
# of Acres
% of Total
Land in Crops (excluding
Christmas tree area)
N/A
280,889
27.59
Summer Fallow
N/A
1,145
0.11
Tame of Seeded Pasture
N/A
52,271
5.13
Natural Land for Pasture
246
3.27
62,142
6.11
6,075
80.7
559,664
54.97
61,964
6.09
1,018,075
100
Area in Christmas trees,
Woodlands and Wetlands
All Other Land
Total
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
N/A
7,528
83.97
11
The number of acres used for farming purposes had increased since 2006 from 4,885 acres to
7,528 acres. Since 2006, there had been an increase in the percentage of total land used for Christmas
trees, woodlands and wetlands.
Table 10: Land Use in Shelburne County, 2006-2011
Land Use
2011
# of Acres
2006
% of Total
# of Acres
% of Total
Land in Crops (excluding
Christmas tree area)
N/A
Summer Fallow
N/A
Tame of Seeded Pasture
N/A
Natural Land for Pasture
Area in Christmas trees,
Woodlands and Wetlands
246
3.27
N/A
6,075
80.7
3,221
65.94
1,255
25.69
4,885
98
All Other Land
0
6.37
0
N/A
N/A
Total
7,528
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
4.5
311
83.97
Farm Size
In 2011, the average farm size in Shelburne County was approximately 443 acres which was
higher than the provincial average of approximately 260 acres.
Table 11: Total Acres and Average Farm Size in Shelburne County and Nova Scotia, 2011
Nova Scotia
Total Farms
Total Acres
3,905
1,018,075
Shelburne County
17
Note: Adapted from Statistics Canada, 2011.
7528
Average Farm
Size (acres)
260.71
442.82
In Shelburne County, approximately 53% of reporting farms owned less than 129 acres. Indeed,
the most common acreage sizes in Shelburne were between 10 to 69 acres (4 farms reported) and 70 to
129 acres (4 farms also reported). In total, the farms with these acreage sizes accounted for almost 24%
of Shelburne County farms.
12
Table 82: Total Farms by Farm Size Category for Shelburne County and Nova Scotia
Total Under 10-69 70-129 130-179 180-239 240-399 400-559 560-759 760 acres
Farms 10 acres acres acres acres
acres
acres acres
acres
and over
Nova Scotia
3,905
406
907
Shelburne
County
17
1
4
Note: Retrieved from Statistics Canada, 2011.
637
317
343
574
302
192
227
4
0
1
2
1
0
4
13
Bibliography
(2013). Shelburne County: Profile of Agricultural Land Resources. Retrieved from
http://novascotia.ca/agri/documents/business-research/AL1016%20Shelburne.pdf
Shelburne Nova Scotia. (2011). Shelburne County. [Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.shelburnenovascotia.com/maps.htm
Statistics Canada. (2011). Farm and farm operator data [Table]. Retrieved from
http://www29.statcan.gc.ca/ceag-web/eng/indexindex;jsessionid=D68BABE4379BC41D58B112C4B2FAFFB8
Statistics Canada. (2013). Labour force survey estimates [Table 282-0061]. Retrieved from
http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a47
Statistics Canada. (2011). Population and dwelling counts [Table]. Retrieved from
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/TableTableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=304&PR=12&S=51&O=A&RPP=10
14
Appendix
Map of Shelburne County
Note: Retrieved from Shelburne Nova Scotia, 2011.