Canada’s dairy sector was addressed in more detail in the May 24 release.

It is important to note the Canadian Dairy Information Centre (CDIC) places the total number of dairy farms at 11,280 in 2016. CDIC categorizes a dairy farm as any farm that ships milk.

However, Statistics Canada categorizes farm type by its primary source of revenue and, therefore, says there were 10,519 dairies in 2016.

The census found between 2011 and 2016 milk production increased 8.7 percent despite a decrease in the number of cows.

While it may seem incongruous to the public, Statistics Canada attributed the increased efficiency to “improvements in feed quality and management, genetics and advancements in technology, including the use of robotic milking.”

Advertisement

DFC asserts this is also a testament to Canadian dairy farmers’ ability to respond to market demand for increased milk supply.

It is also the result of farmers’ efforts to improve production efficiency, through innovations such as genomics and other on-farm technologies, and finally the application of new outcomes from dairy research investments.

The census also confirmed other trends:

  • Dairy cattle numbers: Both the total number of dairy cattle and number of farms reporting dairy cattle continued to decrease between 2011 and 2016.

    The total number of dairy cattle (young and mature) in Canada decreased 3.8 percent to 1.4 million, while the number of farms reporting dairy cattle fell 14 percent over the five-year period.

  • Sector consolidation: According to Statistics Canada, the number of dairy farms with 200 or fewer dairy cattle decreased while the number of farms with more than 200 increased and now represents 11 percent of dairy farms.

  • Dairy continues to be the largest agricultural sector in economic importance in Ontario and Quebec (and several other provinces). Dairy production is typically close to urban centres and to the population.

    Quebec and Ontario produce more milk than other provinces, taking advantage of market proximity. This is similar to food processing economic activity, which is also located principally in Ontario.

  • Statistics Canada said Ontario is home to 34.2 percent of Canada’s dairy cows and 34.9 percent of dairy farms, while Quebec is home to 35.7 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

  • Statistics Canada observed “mid-sized farms [101 to 200 cows] are more likely to report robotic milking than small and large-sized farms,” with 44.7 percent of robotic milking farms having 101 to 200 cows.

  • Robots were not the only factors contributing to on-farm efficiency. Advances have also been made in animal housing, milk technology, herd management and feed management.

  • Just under half of dairy farms use automated environmental controls for animal housing or automated animal feeding technology.

The 2016 Census of Agriculture results will be published until the end of June 2017 and are available online. 

A friendly reminder: Stay informed with the Dairy Express

You are a dairy farmer? Sign up now for the Dairy Express, the bi-monthly e-newsletter published by Dairy Farmers of Canada. To do so, simply send an email Emilie Tobin to add your name to the mailing list.  end mark

Dairy Farmers of Canada
Founded in 1934, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national organization which defends the interests of Canadian dairy farmers and strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry.

Working in accordance with supply management principles, DFC promotes safe, high quality, sustainable and nutritious Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk through various marketing, nutrition, policy and lobbying initiatives.

Driven by a strong sense of community and pride, DFC and Canadian dairy farmers actively support a number of local and national activities. Visit Dairy Farmers of Canada for more information.