YUKON AGRICULTURE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT

2010–2011–2012

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributors who provided information about their programs and activities:

• AgricultureBranchstaff• YukonAgriculturalAssociation• GrowersofOrganicFoodYukon• YukonGameGrowersAssociation• FireweedCommunityMarketSociety

Photos:

AllphotossuppliedbyGovernmentofYukonunlessotherwisespecified.

Copies available from:

AgricultureBranchEnergy,MinesandResourcesGovernmentofYukonElijahSmithBuilding300MainStreet,Room320P.O.Box2703,Whitehorse,YukonY1A2C6Phone(867)667-5838,Fax(867)393-6222Emailagriculture@gov.yk.ca

Also available online at:

www.agriculture.gov.yk.ca

ISSN 1192-0572

YUKON AGRICULTURE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT

2010–2011–2012Government of Yukon

Energy, Mines and Resources Agriculture Branch and

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada November2013

Prepared by:

Matt Ball Agrologist

AgricultureBranchEnergy,MinesandResources

GovernmentofYukon

Tony Hill Director

AgricultureBranchEnergy,MinesandResources

GovernmentofYukon

Valerie Whelan Manager

TerritorialAffairsMarketandIndustryServicesBranchAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada

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Table of ContentsAcronyms.............................................................................................................................................................................................2

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................................3

IndustryHighlightsof2010,2011and2012...........................................................................................................................4

AgriculturalLandAvailability........................................................................................................................................................5

GrazingProgram............................................................................................................................................................................. 11

GrowingSeasonConditions....................................................................................................................................................... 12

Production........................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

GovernmentStaffSupportingYukonAgricultureIndustry............................................................................................ 21

Research............................................................................................................................................................................................ 23

ExtensionServices........................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Marketing.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Canada-YukonGrowingForwardPrograms.........................................................................................................................30

FoodSafetyandFoodQuality................................................................................................................................................... 31

InfrastructureDevelopment....................................................................................................................................................... 32

EnvironmentalResponsibility....................................................................................................................................................33

EconomicDevelopment..............................................................................................................................................................34

EnablingCompetitiveEnterprisesandFarmDiversification.......................................................................................... 35

ReducingBusinessRisk................................................................................................................................................................ 38

AgricultureIndustryCommitteesandAssociations..........................................................................................................40

UsefulReferences........................................................................................................................................................................... 45

Websites............................................................................................................................................................................................. 46

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AcronymsAAFC AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada

ACAAF AdvancingCanadianAgricultureandAgri-Food

ADI AgriculturalDevelopmentInitiative

CAAP CanadianAgriculturalAdaptationProgram

CAIS CanadianAgriculturalIncomeStabilization

CFIA CanadianFoodInspectionAgency

CYFF CanadianYoungFarmers’Forum

COG CanadianOrganicGrowers

CWD ChronicWastingDisease

DVAI DiversificationandValue-AddedInitiative

EGDD EffectiveGrowingDegreeDays

FDBP FarmDevelopmentBusinessPlan

FDP FarmDevelopmentPlan

GE GeneticallyEngineered

GF GrowingForward

GoOFY GrowersofOrganicFoodYukon

HACCP HazardAnalysisCriticalControlPoint

MDI MarketDevelopmentInitiative

PACS PacificAgriculturalCertificationSociety

NPK Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium

YAA YukonAgriculturalAssociation

YESAA Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act

YESAB YukonEnvironmentalandSocio-economicAssessmentBoard

YYF YukonYoungFarmers

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IntroductionFarminginYukontakespassionandhardworktoproducehighqualityproducts.Cooperativeequipment,newfarmingtechniquesandfundinghavehelpedimprovetheviabilityofourfarms.Yukonagriculturereducesfoodimports,buildstheeconomyandaddsdiversitytoworkoptionsinourcommunities.Yukonfarmscontinuetoprovidefresh,healthyproductsforlocalconsumption.

Climaterestrictions,lownutrientsoils,highoperatingcostsandsmallmarketsarechallengesthatYukonfarmersfaceeveryday.Yukon’sagriculturalandagri-foodindustrycontinuestoberelativelysmall,butitisvibrantanddiverse.Localfarmerscontinueproducinganabundantsupplyofhay,andmanyproducersareexpandingtheirmarketsbysupplyingfreshfoodproductstoretailers,restaurantsandfarmers’markets.

ThisreportprovidesadescriptionoftheagriculturalindustryinYukonin2010,2011and2012.Itincludesdataprovidedbythe2011 Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture.Thereadershipforthisreportisanticipatedtoincludefarmers,governments,agriculturalindustryassociations,non-profitorganizationsandthegeneralpublic.

Industry Highlights of 2010, 2011 and 2012Summer 2010 Apilotprojecttoinvestigatethefeasibilityofusingthemobileabattoirforpoultry

processingyieldedinformationonefficienciesandbestmanagementpractices.

Fall 2010 ThecaptureofeightferalhorsesthathadbeenposingproblemsontheAlaskaHighwaystirredupawaveofpublicopinion.Goodhomeswerefoundforalleighthorses.

Fall 2010 AliceBoland,ManageroftheLittleSalmon-CarmacksFirstNationgardensandgreenhouse,wasstronglysupportedbythecommunitytobecomeYukonFarmeroftheYearfor2010.AlicewasrecognisedforheryearsofdedicationtotheCarmackscommunitygardens,whichhavecontributedtolocalwellnessandnutrition.

April 2010 to UptakeintheCanada-YukonGrowingForwardprogramcontinuestogrow,withMarch 2011 arecord73contributionagreementsprovidingfundingtoindustryandassociation

projects.

Winter 2011 YukonAgriculturalAssociation(YAA)hostsaworkshopwithKentMullinixofKwantlenPolytechnicUniversityondevelopingasustainableYukonfoodsystem.ThisleadstoaYAAsponsoredprojecttodesignsuchasystemanddevelopanimplementationplaninthefallof2012.

Summer 2011 LocalgrocerystoresbeginprominentlydisplayingYukonproducetoshoppers.Farmers’marketsinWhitehorseandDawsonCitydrawrecordcrowdsofconsumerssupportinglocalproduction.

Fall 2011 AnewYoungFarmersGroupholdsitsfirstmeetinginWhitehorse.TheYukongroupisassociatedwiththeNationalYoungFarmersForum,anetworksupportingyoungfarmersacrossCanada.

Fall 2011 JackandLucyVogt,operatorsofVogt’sVeggiesatHendersonCornernearDawsonCity,arevotedFarmersoftheYearfor2011.Theywererecognizedfortheirintensiveproduction,qualityofproduce,managementoftheenvironmentandcommunitycontributionsoverthepast19years.

Winter 2012 TheAgricultureBranchfacilitatesavisioningworkshoptohelpguidethedevelopmentofprogramstobeofferedunderthenextGrowingForwardagreement.

Spring 2012 Statisticsfromthe2011CensusofAgriculturearereleased.ResultsshowasmalldecreaseinYukonfarmnumbersandreportedsalesfromfiveyearsearlier.

Summer 2012 YAAsignsaleasewithYukongovernmentfor65hectares(ha)ofagriculturallandontheNorthKlondikeHighway.Plansbeginforcommunityinfrastructurethatwillincreasefoodsecurityandsustaintheindustryasitdevelops.

Fall 2012 YukonagriculturewasshowcasedwhenYukonhostedtheannualmeetingofAgricultureMinstersandDeputyMinistersfromacrossCanada.Atthismeeting,theMinistersagreedtothemultilateralpolicyframeworkforGrowingForward2.

Fall 2012 SteveandBonnieMackenzie-Grieve,ownersoftheYukonGrainFarm,areFarmersoftheYearfor2012,thesecondtimethiscouplewashonouredbytheirpeers.Thisyearitwasforbeingleadersinthedevelopmentofvalue-chains,implementinganon-farmfoodsafetyprogram,andcommunityandcustomerservice.4

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Agricultural Land Availability AGRICULTURAL SUITABILITYLessthantwopercentofYukon’s483,450squarekilometresissuitableforagriculturaldevelopmentbecauseoflimitationsofgeography,climateandsoils.Agricultureisconsideredonlandssouthof64.5°northlatitude.

YukonispartoftheCanadianCordilleranregion,whichischaracterizedbymountainousterrain.Soil-basedagricultureismostlylimitedtomajorrivervalleysoftheYukonRiverwatershed,notincludingthePorcupineRiverwhichisnorthof64.5°.MostagriculturalactivityinYukonislocatedonriversedimentsintheTakhiniandDezadeashRivervalleys.TheLiardRivervalley(partoftheMackenzieRiverwatershed)alsoprovidessomeexceptionalagriculturalopportunitiesonriversediments.TypicalsoilssuitableforagricultureareformedonsiltsandclaysdepositedbyproglacialLakeChampagne.

Yukonhasasub-arcticcontinentalclimate,withtemperaturesreachingashighas30°Cinthesummerandaslowas–50°Cinthewinter.Theaveragefrost-freeperiodrangesfrom93daysintheWatsonLakeareato21daysatHainesJunction.Frost-freeperiodsalsovarysubstantiallyfromyeartoyearatanylocation.Longhoursofdaylightduringthesummerpromoterapidgrowthandcompensate,tosomeextent,forthecoolersummertemperaturesexperiencedatalatitudenorthof60°.AdequateheatunitsarethelargestenvironmentalconstraintonagriculturalcapabilityinYukon.

Averageannualprecipitationrangesfromabout20centimetreswestofWhitehorse,tomorethan40centimetresinWatsonLake.SouthwestYukon,wheremostagriculturalproductionoccurs,lieswithintherainshadowcreatedbytheSt.EliasandCoastalmountains.ThisareaissubjecttodroughtsbetweenAprilandJuly,whichisaseriousproblemforcropgermination.

Yukonsoilsaregenerallydeficientinnitrogenandphosphorous.Potassiumandsulphurabundanceisoftendependentonlocalgeologyandisdifficulttopredict.Sincetestingstartedin1984,morethanhalfofthesoilstestedbyYukonAgricultureBranchhavebeendeficientinpotassium.Themostcommonmicronutrientdeficienciesareboronandmagnesium.SoilsthroughoutYukonarelowinorganicmatter,andsalinityhasbeenidentifiedasaprobleminlocalizedareas.

PermafrostisfoundthroughoutYukon,varyingfromsporadicdiscontinuousinsouthernagriculturalareas,andincreasingtoextensivediscontinuousatthenorthernextremeofagriculturalactivityintheterritory.TheAgricultureBranchiscoordinatingafour-yearprojecttoidentifyagriculturalchallengesrelatedtochangingpermafrostconditions.

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OBTAINING LAND FOR AGRICULTURETherearetwomethodsforobtaininglandforagriculture:throughprivatesaleorthroughtheCrown.PrivatelandpricesvarydependingontheproximityofthepropertytoWhitehorse.Currently,titledagriculturallandswithin30minutesfromWhitehorsehavebeenvaluedatover$3,000peracrewhilelandlocated30to60minutesfromWhitehorsehasbeenvaluedataround$2,500peracre.BasedonestimatesfromtheMultipleListingService,thepricethroughouttherestoftheterritoryisapproximately$600to$1,000peracre.

YukonisoneofthefewplacesinCanadawhereCrown(government)landcanbeobtainedforagriculturalpurposes.ToqualifyforCrownland,anapplicantmustbeaCanadiancitizenorpermanentresidentofCanada,mustbeatleast19yearsofage,andmusthavelivedinYukonforatleastoneyearpriortothedateofapplication.

TheprocessbeginswithanapplicationtotheAgricultureBranchofthedepartmentofEnergy,MinesandResources.Theapplicationmustdescribetheintendedusesoftheland,andtheapplicantmustsubmitaFarmDevelopmentPlan(FDP)within60daysofmakingthelandapplication.TheFDPispartoftheapplicationandmustbeapprovedbytheAgricultureBranch.ApplicantsmustalsodeclarethattheywillretaintheirYukonresidencyforthedurationofanyagriculturalagreementforsalethatmayresult.

Sincetheprogramstartedin1982,thetotalamountoflandthathasbeendisposedofbyYukongovernmentforagriculturaluseis13,351hectaresin334dispositions.LanddispositionsarepredominantlyaroundtheWhitehorsearea,withover70%ofthesedispositionswithin60kilometresofWhitehorse.

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AGRICULTURAL LAND APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESSTheYukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act(YESAA)laysoutacomprehensivearms-length-from-governmentenvironmentalassessmentprocess.AYESAAreviewincludesinputfromgovernments(includingFirstNations),interestgroupsandthepublic.AgriculturallandapplicationsaresubmittedtotheYukonEnvironmentalandSocio-economicAssessmentBoard(YESAB)fordeterminationoftheenvironmentalandsocio-economiceffects,includingcumulativeeffects,oftheproposedproject.ReviewbyYESABisgenerallytriggeredbythesectionoftheassessmentregulationspertainingtoclearinglandusingself-propelledpower-drivenequipment(Section13.12).YESABreviewscanproduceoneofthefollowingrecommendationsregardingproposedprojects:a) projectproceeds(notermsandconditionsspecified);b) projectproceedswithtermsandconditions;andc) projectdoesnotproceed.

TheDirectorofAgriculture,whoistheDelegatedDecisionMakerforYukongovernmentagriculturallandapplications,accepts,rejectsorvaries(acceptswithchanges,usuallyminor)theYESABrecommendation.WhentheDirectorofAgriculturemakesadecisionthattheprojectmayproceed,aletterofofferissenttotheapplicant.Followingasurveyoftheapplied-forparcel,thelandisreleasedtotheapplicantunderanagreementforsale.

Theagreementforsaleisadevelopmentcontract,andtheappraisedvalueoftheparcelbecomesthepurchaseprice.UndertheVision of Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture Policy,everydollarofapproveddevelopmentworkcompletedbytheapplicantresultsinonedollarofthepurchasepricebeingforgiven.ThetotalexpenditureonapprovedagriculturaldevelopmentsmustequaltheappraisedmarketvalueafteranydevelopmentcostsincurredbyYukongovernmentaresubtracted.Thedevelopmentcostsincurredbygovernmentmustbepaidbytheapplicantbeforeenteringintoanagreementforsale.Iftheapplicantmeetsalltheobligationsoftheagreementforsalewithinsevenyearsorless,theAgreementisconsideredcompleteandtitleisissued.

Table 1. Agricultural land applications, agreements for sale and titles issued

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 # ha # ha # ha # ha # ha

AgriculturallandApplications* 21 15 9 12 10

AgreementsforSale 12 352 11 416 14 508 9 381 9 180

AgriculturalTitlesIssued 13 638 13 614 8 379 14 423 9 369

* Agricultural land applications refer to spot land applications and successful planned agricultural land applications. Grazing applications are not included in this table.

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AGRICULTURAL LAND PLANNINGThe2006 Yukon Agriculture Policyplacesanemphasisonthereleaseofagriculturallandthroughplannedagriculturaldevelopments.Planneddevelopmentispreferredbecauseit: providesforthecoordinateduseofinfrastructuresuchasroadsandelectricity; placeslessdemandonservicessuchasschoolbusing; allowsfortheorderlyplanningoffutureservices;and allowsagriculturetobedevelopedinaccordancewithregionalandsub-regionalplanswheretheyexist.

Plannedagricultureallowsbasicinfrastructure(roadsandpower)tobeestablishedpriortolandsales.Thepublic,municipalitiesandFirstNationswillcontinuetobepartoftheplanningprocessforplannedagriculturalareas.Backgroundworkisbeingcarriedoutforfurtherplannedagriculturalareasinseveraldifferentlocations.Atanygiventime,twoorthreeplannedprojectsarebeingdeveloped.

Table 2. Agreements for Sale from planned areas 2005–2012

Total Ag Planned Ag Planned Ag Planned Ag Year Land Sales Land Sales Sales # as % of Total Sales Area as % of # ha # ha Ag Land Sales Total Ag Land

2005 10 507 2 11 20% 2%

2006 10 416 0 0 0% 0%

2007 8 347 0 0 0% 0%

2008 12 352 5 86 42% 24%

2009 11 416 2 23 18% 6%

2010 14 508 1 50 7% 10%

2011 9 381 1 10 11% 3%

2012 9 180 2 39 22% 22%

Plannedagriculturallotspriorto2009weresoldthroughapubliclandlotteryprocess.InMay2008,therewerethreelotsreleasedintheMarshallCreekSubdivisionnearHainesJunction.Since1996,therehavebeensevenpubliclandlotteries,resultingin21agriculturallotsreleasedforatotalof325.7ha.

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In2011,theAgricultureBranchchangedtoanevaluative/competitiveapproachtoplannedagriculturallandsales.Inthisprocess,theYukongovernmentadvertisesthatlandisavailableinaplannedarea.AneligibleapplicantreviewstheapplicationpackagepreparedbytheAgricultureBranchandsubmitsanapplicationtothebranchbytheappointedtime.TheapplicationincludesadetailedFarmDevelopmentBusinessPlan(FDBP),whichispreparedaccordingtolistedcriteriathatareassignedpoints.ThesubmittedFDBPisreviewedbytheAgricultureBranchandratedaccordingtothespecificFDBPevaluationcriteriaandagainstotherplansforthesameparcel.AgricultureBranchstaffwillapprovetheFDBPthatbestmeetsthespecificationssetoutintheapplicationpackage.

Bytheendof2012,ninelotshavebeenofferedforsaleundertheevaluativeplannedlandapplicationprocess.Thenewapplicationprocesshasresultedinfewerapplicationsreceivedcomparedtothelotteryprogram.TheAgricultureBranchhasbeenimpressedbythecareanddetailofthefarmplanssubmittedforthislandsaleprocess.

SummaryofPlannedAgriculturalDispositions:

October2012.........onelotreleasedinHainesJunctionSubdivision,HainesJunction May2012.................onelotreleasedinHainesJunctionSubdivision,HainesJunction December2011....twolotsreleasedinHainesJunctionSubdivision,HainesJunction May2008.................threelotsreleasedinHainesJunctionSubdivision,HainesJunction October2007.........fourlotsreleasedinHainesJunctionSubdivision,HainesJunction July2005..................twolotsreleasedalongGentianLane,GoldenHorn December2003....onelotreleasedinWestDawson February2001.......twolotsreleasedinUpperLiard January1998..........twolotsreleasedinM’ClintockValley November1996....thefirstagriculturallandlottery,withsevenagriculturallotsreleasedinthe TakhiniHotspringsAgriculturalSubdivision

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AGRICULTURAL RESERVES AND LAND INVENTORYPlannedagriculturaldevelopmentareasrequiresignificanttimetodeterminethatlandsuitableforagricultureisidentified,anappropriatedevelopmentplancreatedandfinallythelandisreleased.

Highdemandforagriculturallandisprimarilyfoundclosetocommunities.Fewagriculturallandapplicationsarereceivedforremotesites,whicharenotlikelytomeetthe2006 Yukon Agriculture Policyrequirementforeconomicallyviableagriculture.TheAgricultureBranchusesthelocalareaplanningprocessasonetooltoidentifyagriculturallands.Approximately130haoflandaredesignatedforagricultureinWestDawsonSunnydale,andaboutthesameamountisdesignatedforagricultureintheMarshLakeLocalAreaPlan.

ThereareanumberofparcelsunderAgriculturalReserveinseveralareas,includingUpperLiard,McGregorCreek,MarshallCreek,nearChampagne,nearCowleyLakes,alongGentianLane,alongTakhiniHotSpringsRoadandinIbexValley.

Currently,thereislowdemandforagricultureintheCentralYukon—alargeareastretchingfromjustsouthofCarmackstoDawsonandMayo.TheclimateincentralYukoniscapableofreliablymaturinggrains,andforthatreasonwillbeanimportantgrowthopportunityforYukonagriculture.

SUBDIVISION OF TITLED AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIESThe2006 Yukon Agriculture Policyprovidesforlimitedsubdivisionofagriculturalland.In2007,theSubdivision Actwasamendedtoprovidestatutoryauthorizationforthehomesitesubdivisionprocess.

The2006 Yukon Agriculture Policyendorsedcontrolledsubdivisionofagriculturallandasameanstoprovideorderlytransitiontoanewgenerationoffarmers.Inthisscenario,farmersusethesubdivisionopportunitytopreservetheirhomeonanewlotandpasstherestoftheparceltosomeonewhowillfarmit.Thesubdivisionopportunityhasbeenusedinthisway,butithasmorefrequentlybeenusedasawaytogeneratecapitalthatissometimesreinvestedinthefarmoperation.InNovember2011,theAgricultureBranchanalysedinformationfrom26processedhomesitesubdivisionapplicationsanddeterminedthatapproximately25%oftheoutcomesareinlinewithpolicyexpectations.

ByDecember2012,therehavebeen32applicationsforagriculturalhomesitesubdivision.Twenty-sixapplicationshavebeenapproved,fourapplicationshavebeenrefused,oneapplicationhasbeenwithdrawnandoneapplicationwasaduplicate.Asubdivisionapprovalrequiresthatthesurveybeexecutedwithin12monthsofthedateofauthorization.Threeauthorizationshaveexpiredandarenolongervalid.Inall,23newlotshavebeencreatedintheWhitehorseareabywayofsubdivisionofagriculturallands.

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Grazing ProgramTohelpmeetthegrazingneedsofYukonlivestockowners,theYukongovernmentgrantsgrazingrightsondesignatedareasofpubliclandtoeligibleapplicants.Grazingrightsareconveyedtotheapplicantintheformofagrazingagreement.UndertheYukon Grazing Policy,theAgricultureBranchestablishesandmanagesgrazingagreementstoprovidesustainablegrazingthatiseconomicallyviableandcompatiblewithotherlandandresourceuses.

Grazingapplicationsundergoascreeningprocesstodeterminewhetherornottheareaissuitableforgrazing.Thisinvolvesrulingoutland-useconflictsandevaluatingthegrazingcapacityofthearea.MostgrazingapplicationsaresubjecttoaYukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act(YESAA)reviewbecausefenceconstructionisatriggerforthistypeofreview.

Foreachgrazingagreement,theGrazingManagementCoordinatorpreparesagrazingmanagementplan,whichoutlinesmandatorymanagementpracticesforthegrazingarea.Grazingagreementsaremonitoredthroughouttheirtenuretoensurecompliancewithgrazingmanagementplans.

In2010,therewasaminorrevisiontotheYukon Grazing Policytomakegrazingagreementholdersresponsibleforremovingtheirfencesuponterminationoftheirgrazingagreements.In2012,preparationworkbeganforamorecomprehensivepolicyrevision.

In2011and2012,theAgricultureBranchworkedwiththeDepartmentofEnvironment,localagriculturalindustrygroupsandgrazingagreementholderstodevelopBestManagementPracticesforhorsefencingonYukongovernmentgrazingagreements.TheBestManagementPracticesprovidefencingconstructionguidelinesandspecificationstocontainhorses,butallowsafepassageofwildlife.

Alsoin2012,aYukongovernmentinterdepartmentalcommitteebeganworkondevelopingBestManagementPracticesforlivestockaccessingwaterbodiesongrazingagreements.

Table 3. Summary of Grazing Program activities 2010, 2011 and 2012

Number of. . . 2010 2011 2012

Grazingagreementsunderadministration 38 36 36

Hectaresundergrazingagreements 10608 10621 9428

AnimalUnitMonths*undergrazingagreements 2414 2437 2291

Grazingapplicationsreceived 3 3 3

Newgrazingagreementsgranted** 0 1 2

Averagesizeofgrazingagreements 279 295 262

Smallestgrazingagreementarea 7.3 7.3 7.3

Largestgrazingagreementarea 1286 1286 1286

* Animal Unit Month is the amount of forage consumed by an adult cow or horse in one month (approximately 455 kg).

** Not all grazing applications are approved in the year they are received.

Approximately50%ofcurrentgrazingagreementsarelocatedwithin50kmofWhitehorse.Theother50%arelocatedthroughoutYukon.Mostgrazingagreementsareusedforgrazinghorses.Cattlearegrazedonthreegrazingagreements.Goatsaregrazedononegrazingagreement.

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Growing Season ConditionsClimateisoftenthelimitingfactorofagriculturalproductioninYukon.Airtemperatureandprecipitationaremonitoredinvariousregionsoftheterritorytodetermineseasonalgrowingconditions.Agroclimaticcapabilityisdeterminedwithacalculationinvolvingdailyaveragetemperatureandlengthofgrowingseason.Thegrowingseasonofficiallybeginsonthefifthdayofdailyaveragetemperatureatorabove5°Candendsthefirsttimethetemperaturedropsto-2.2°CafterJuly15.TheEffectiveGrowingDegreeDays(EGDD)foranareaarecalculatedwithaformulathatincludesgrowingseasondailyaveragetemperatureandtakesintoaccountlongdaylighthours.Overtheyears,comparisonsofdifferentagriculturalareasinYukonhaveshowninterestingcontrastsbetweenregionalclimates.

Yukon’sagriculturalareascanbebroadlydividedintofourregions:

Whitehorseplateauandsurroundingarea,wherethemajorityoftheproducersandconsumersarelocated. CentralYukonbasin,whichisknowntohaveawarmerclimatethanWhitehorse.ThisareaincludesMayo

andDawson,thefirstagriculturalareatobedevelopedinYukon. SouthwestYukon,HainesJunction,whichwashometoAgricultureCanada’sresearchstationfrom1944to

1968.Thisresearchstationevaluatedagriculturalsuitabilityforthearea. SoutheastYukon,WatsonLake,whichhasawarmerclimateandmoreprecipitationthanWhitehorse.

2010AllthemajoragriculturalregionsinYukonexperiencedaboveaveragetemperaturesandgrowingconditionsin2010.Anunusuallywarmspringextendedthelengthofthegrowingseason.IntheWhitehorsearea,thegrowingseasonofficiallybeganApril19,theearliestofanyregioninthepasttenyears.BoththecentralYukonbasinandtheWatsonLakeregionwereclassifiedoneagroclimaticcapabilityclasshigherthantheten-yearaverage(Class2).ClimateinthecentralYukonandWatsonLakeareaswasadequatefortheproductionofgrainandwarmseasonvegetableswithfewlimitations.Despitetheearlywarmth,threeofthefourregionshadmorethantheaveragenumberoffrosts.HainesJunctionhadthehighestnumberoffrostswithatotalof35betweenApril30andAugust27.

Precipitationwasmixedacrosstheterritory.SoutheastYukonexperiencedsignificantlydrierweatherthanexpectedwith60mmlessprecipitationthanthe10-yearaverage.BoththeWhitehorseareaandcentralYukonhadaboveaveragerainfall,especiallyinMayandJune.HainesJunctionhadrelativelyaverageprecipitationformostofthesummeruntilSeptember,whenitreceived55mmofprecipitation,whichwasthehighestinthepast10years.

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2011Growingconditionsvariedthroughouttheterritoryin2011withnodefinitivetrendacrosstheregions.TheWhitehorse,HainesJunction,andDawsonareassawalatespringthatcreatedshortergrowingseasonsthathadfewerfrosts.WhitehorseandHainesJunctionexperiencedcoolerthannormaltemperaturesduringthesummer.ThelatespringandcooltemperaturescausedbelowaverageagriculturalproductivityforbothWhitehorseandHainesJunction.Dawson,however,hadslightlywarmersummertemperaturesandmaintainedtypicalagroclimaticcapabilities.WatsonLake,insoutheastYukon,hadarelativelytypicalsummerwithanearlyspringandaverageprecipitation.Thedailytemperatureswereslightlyabovenormalandfrostoccurrencesclosetonormal.

PrecipitationwassignificantlyhigherthannormalaroundWhitehorse,WatsonLake,andDawsonCity,withJulyandAugustbeingverywetmonths.Tofurtherlimitgrowthwithcooltemperatures,HainesJunctionreceivedlessprecipitationthannormallyexpected.

2012InWhitehorseandDawson,localswouldtellyou2012wasacoolsummer.Daytimetemperaturesweren’tashighasexpected,butrelativelymildnighttimelowsledtonearnormaldailyaveragetemperatures.WatsonLakeexperiencedalatespringandaveragegrowingconditions.SouthwestYukonhadfewerfroststhannormal,butverycoolaveragedailytemperatures.ThesummertemperaturesinHainesJunctionwerecomparableto2008,whichwastheworstgrowingseasonsince1987.

ThecentralYukonbasinrecordedaverageprecipitation,withmoreraininthespringthaninthefall.TheWhitehorseareaexperiencedadifferentpattern,withmostprecipitationfallinginJuneandJuly,butthetotalwas15mmbelowtheten-yearaverage.HainesJunctioninsouthwestYukonwassignificantlywetterthannormalwithatotalof239mmofprecipitation.Theregionhasn’tseenthatmuchrainandsnowsince2000.

Table 4. Total Precipitation (mm) by Region: May–September

Year Whitehorse Airport Haines Junction Dawson Airport Watson Lake Airport

2010 176.1 139.0 155.7 191.3

2011 186.6 127.0 224.8 236.2

2012 146.4 239.0 161.5 Nodata

2003–12Average 161.3 137.7 169.9 240.8

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Table 5. Yukon Climatic Data, 2010, 2011 and 2012

Year 2010 2011 2012

Location EGDD* Agro- #of EGDD Agro- #of EGDD Agro- #of climatic frosts climatic frosts climatic frosts Capability during Capability during Capability during Class season Class season Class season

Whitehorse 1135 Class3 24 1001 Class4 4 922 Class4 3

HainesJunction 940 Class4 35 827 Class5 14 628 Class6 15

DawsonCity 1294 Class2 15 1172 Class3 9 1165 Class3 10

WatsonLake 1293 Class2 15 1179 Class3 11 1163 Class3 3

* Effective Growing Degree Days

ThecentralYukonandWatsonLakeareashaveconsistentlyshownthebestagroclimaticcapabilitiesintheterritory.CentralYukoniswarmer,providinggoodgrowingconditionsallowingforawidervarietyofcropoptions.ThehigherlevelofrainfallinWatsonLakedecreasesirrigationdemands,whichmaymakeproductionmoreviable.WatsonLakealsoappearstohavelaterfallfrosts,makingthegrowingseasonlongerthantheotherregions.CropproductionintheWhitehorseandHainesJunctionareashaveclimaticrestrictionsthathavebeenovercomebytheresourcefulnessofagriculturalproducersandanawarenessoftheclimateintheseareas.

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ProductionYukonfarmproductioncoversawiderangeofcropsandlivestock.Grasshaycontinuestodominatetheindustrywiththelargestcropareaandthehighestgrossincome.Inthepastcoupleofyears,Yukongrownvegetableshavebeenprominentlydisplayedinlocalgrocerystores,andawideselectionofmeatshasbeenavailablefromthefarmgateorthroughlocalrestaurants.We’vealsohadgreateraccesstolocalnicheproductsinourstores,atrendthatissuretocontinue.

MostfarmingactivityoccursaroundtheWhitehorseareabecauseofaccesstomarketsandtooff-farmincome.Unfortunately,WhitehorseexperiencesacoolersummerclimatethanmostotherareasofYukon,makingsomecropsdifficulttoproduce.

The2011CensusofAgriculturestatisticswerereleasedMay10,2012.Yukondatashowedtwoimportantagriculturalindustryindicators,totalfarmnumbersandtotalfarmincome,downfrom2006.Totalfarmnumbersfellfrom148to130(12%).Thedecreaseoccurredmostlyinthesmallfarmcategories(earningsunder$25,000),where21fewerfarmsreportedthanin2006.Totalfarmincomewas$3.7million,whichwasdownby10%from2006.Totalfarmexpensesandtotalfarmincomewereclosetoequalforthefirsttime.Thisindicatesthat,onanaggregatedbasis,farmsarebecomingmoreeconomicallyviableandefficientatmeetingtheirbottomline.

Totalfarmcapitalwasup31%to$86.5millionfrom$66.1millioninthe2006Census.Thevalueoffarmequipment(irrigation,tractors,trucks,etc.)hasincreased.Forexample,tractornumbersintheterritoryareup,with220reportedon106farmswithavalueof$2.6million.Thevastmajorityoftheincreaseinfarmcapitalisduetotheappreciationinlandandbuildings.Thisisasimilartrendtothatseeninthehousingmarket.“Thatcurrentaveragepriceisupover100%from2004,whentheaveragepriceofahomeintheYukoncapitalwas$187,900.Inflationoverthatsix-yearperiodwas11.4%,sothe"realincrease"iscloserto90%,accordingtothebureau.”Farmlandpricingisdrivenbythevalueoflandasruralresidentialproperty.

Table 6. Total farm capital (Census data)

Census Year Farms reporting Total Farm Capital

2001 170 $50,206,295

2006 148 $66,118,480

2011 130 $86,563,618

Sincethe2006Census,thenumberofYukonfarmoperatorshasdroppedby9%to195individuals(115male,75female).Therewerealso57seasonalemployeesand22full-timeworkers.TheaverageageofYukonfarmersis54years,whichmatchestheCanadianaverage.

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LIVESTOCKAnimalhusbandryinYukonincludesbeefcattle,hogs,layers,broilers,turkeys,pheasants,sheep,goats,bees,rabbits,bison,elk,llamas,alpacas,andhorses.

Table 7. Yukon Livestock on May 10, 2011 (2011 Census)

Animal Farms Reporting Number of Animals

Pigs 7 56

Cattleandcalves 13 213

Sheepandlambs 4 72

Horsesandponies 50 615

Goats 6 90

Llamasandalpacas 6 29

Rabbits 4 30

Bison 1 X*

Elk 4 64

Hensandchickens 28 3601

Turkeys 5 190

Otherpoultry 6 41

* X denotes not enough aggregated data to use figure

Figure 1. Yukon Farm Sizes (2011 Census)

Thirty-sevenfarmsareinthe4to28harange,andoverhalfofthefarmsreportinginYukonareunder52ha.Fourfarmsarereportedatover453hainsize.

under 4 ha

21

3714

19

13

8

8 1 5 4

4 to 28 ha

29 to 52 ha

53 to 72 ha

73 to 97 ha

98 to 162 ha

163 to 226 ha

227 to 307 ha

308 to 453 ha

Greater than 453 ha

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CATTLE Accordingtothe2011CensusofAgriculture,therewere213cattleandcalvesintheterritory,whichisslightlylowerthanin2006(220).In2011,thirteenfarmsreportedhavingcattle.Thisisthreefarmsmorethanin2006.Someproducersbringinfeedercattleinthespringandslaughtertheminthefall.Afewhavecow/calfoperations.

HOGS HogproductioninYukonisasmallindustry,withsevenfarmsreporting56hogsinthe2006Census.Mostoperationsbringinweanerpigsinthespringandbutcherthemfordirectsalesinthefall.Twoproducersarelookingatbreedingopportunities.

HORSES The2011Censusindicatedthattherewere615horsesandponiesinYukonon50farms.Thisisadecreasefromthelastcensusandisalsolowerthana2003YukonGovernmentsurveyofhorseownerswhichindicatedaround1,800horses.Thediscrepancyislikelyduetothefactthatmosthorsesareoffcommercialfarms.

ELK Theelksectorhasstabilizedandispredominantlyfocusedonmeatsales,withsomesaleofantlervelvet.Inthe2011Censustherewere64game-farmedelkinYukononfourfarms.

BISON Bytheendof2012,therewerenobisonfarmsintheterritory.ThegamefarmingsectorisseekingtoliftabanonimportingbisontorestorethesupplyoflocalbisonmeatforYukonconsumers.

GOATS Therewere90goatsreportedonsixfarmsinthe2011Census.Thisisadropof23goatsfromthe2006Census.Goatsareusedfordairy,meatandfibre.

SHEEP Inthe2011Census,fourfarmsreportedatotalof72sheepandlambs.Sheeparegenerallyusedformeatandfibre.

LLAMAS Thisexotic,domesticlivestocksectordevelopedinYukoninthemid-1990sandremainsapieceofthelivestockindustry,with29animalsreportedonsixfarmsinthe2011Census.Theanimalsareraisedfortheirfibreandusedaspackanimalsandbreedingstock.

RABBITS Thisisasmallsector,withfourfarmsreporting30animals,likelyformeatconsumption.

POULTRY Demandcontinuestobestrongerthansupplyinthepoultryindustry,whichfocusesonfarmgatesalesbecausetherearelimitedgovernmentmeatinspectionoptionsavailable.The2011Censusshowedpoultrysalesof13,461kgofmeat,representingabout2,221chickensreportedon13farms.Broilernumbersin2011wereupslightlyfrom2006,with200morebirdsandalmost4,000kgmoremeatproduction.Therewasadecreaseinthetotalnumberofbirdssincethelastcensusbecauseofadropinlayernumbers.In2011,fivefarmsreportedraisingturkeys,withtotalproductionof2,308kg.

Yukonersconsumeapproximately500,000birdsperyear,sothepotentialmarketforpoultryishigh.Yukongrownpoultrymeatiscommonlymarketedlocallyat$4perpound,orforcertifiedorganicmeat,upto$6perpound.

EGGS Eggproductionreportedinthe2011Censusdroppedfromthe2006Census,likelyduetotheretirementofPartridgeCreekFarm,along-timeeggproducerincentralYukon.However,therewasgoodeggproductionreportedon21farms(27,000dozenin2010).Accordingtothe2011Census,therewere1,146layerson26farms.SmalllayingflocksarescatteredthroughoutYukon,supplyingcommunitiesthroughdirectsalesandfarmers’markets.Freshlocaleggstypicallysellfor$6perdozenormore.

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FIELD CROPS Totalacreageinfarmingandgrazingreportedinthe2011Censuswas10,646ha.Thisisa5%increasefromthe2006Census.Thisincludeslandleasedfromgovernment(2,690ha),whichisgrazinglandandhasdroppedby5%since2006.Landowned(7,610ha)hasincreasedby600ha(9%)sincethelastcensus.Landincropsdroppedby8%from2006to2,451hectares.Totallandpreparedforseedingin2011was817haon58farms,withninefarmsreportingusingano-tillseedingoptionon157ha.

Figure 2. Yukon Agricultural Land Use (2011 Census)

FORAGE HayproductionisthesinglelargestagriculturalproductgrowninYukon,bothintermsofCROPS acreageandvalue.Over1,867haoflandproducetamehay(grassandasmallamountof

alfalfa)annually.

GRAIN Theproductionofcerealgrains(barley,oatsandwheat)inYukonisprimarilylimitedbythemarket,andinthecaseofwheat,byclimaticconditions.BarleyandoatgrainproductionhasincreasedintheWhitehorseareatosupplylocalfeedforlivestock.Currently,theannualplantedgrainareaisapproximately50haacrossYukon.Anincreaseinthelivestocksector,especiallyhogsandchickens,wouldleadtoincreaseddemandforlocalgrainproduction,whichwouldincreasegrainacreage.WheatproductionispossibleincentralYukonandcouldprovidethewheatthatisnecessarytomakeafeedmixwithappropriatenutrientsandvitaminsforlivestockrations.

GREENFEED Greenfeedinvolvestheproductionofoats,andsometimesbarleyandfallrye,asforagecrops.ThishasalwaysbeenanimportantcomponentoffodderforYukonlivestock.Oatsaremostoftenusedandharvestedinbundlesorbales.Inthe2011Census,landinoatgreenfeedwas414haon24farms.

Land in crops (2450 ha)

Summerfallow land (173 ha)

Tame or seeded pasture (1030 ha)

Natural Land for pasture (3413 ha)

Area in woodlands (2946 ha)

24%

2%

10%

34%

29%

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MARKET Vegetableproductionreportedinthe2011Censusissimilartothatofthe2006CensusGARDEN with13hainavarietyofvegetables(15hain2006).Potatoes,whicharereportedasafield

croponthecensus,weregrownon22ha,basedon12farmsreporting.

FRUITS AND Productioninfruitandberryorchardshasincreasedsteadilyoverthepast10years.TheBERRIES 2011Censusreported12haoffruitandberryproductionon13farms.Cropsincluded

apples,strawberries,raspberries,saskatoons,haskapsandcurrants.

Figure 3. Yukon farms reporting various crops (2011 Census)

* Excluding greenhousing

IRRIGATION Inthe2011Census,453haoflandwasreportedasirrigated,whichis60%lowerthaninthe2006Census.Decreasingirrigatedacreageislikelyduetoincreasingcostsofproduction(fuelcostespecially)andthegreaterneedforlabourwhenirrigating.

Table 8. Yukon Irrigated Land (2011 Census)

Durum wheat OatsBarley

Mixed grainsFall rye

Spring rye

Alfalfa, alfalfa mixtures

Other tame hayPotatoes

Fruits, berriesVegetables*

0

Farm

s Re

port

ing

10

20

30

40

50

60

Number of farms Ha

Irrigatedalfalfa,hayandpasture 9 323

Irrigatedfieldcrops 6 89

Irrigatedvegetables 14 11

Irrigatedfruit 10 X*

Otherirrigatedareas 3 X*

* X denotes not enough aggregated data to use figure

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CROP INPUTS Cropinputsincludedinthe2011Censuswereherbicides,soilamendments,manureandfertilizers.Thirteenfarmsreporteduseofherbicideson202ha.Thirty-fourfarmsreporteduseofcommercialfertilizerson931ha.Fifty-ninefarmsappliedmanure.Herbicideandcommercialfertilizeracreagehavedroppedsubstantiallyfrom2006.Whencoupledwithlessirrigatedacreagethisisnotanencouragingstatisticasthesecropinputsareoftencriticalcomponentsofsuccessfulproduction.

SOD Therecontinuestobestrongdemandforsod,whichisprovidedbyonelongstandingfarmoperation.

SYRUP, BirchsyrupisharvestedfromagroveincentralYukontoproducehighqualitybirchsyrupPRESERVES thatissoldthroughlocalretailers.Manypreserves,madefromdomesticberryharvestsas AND HONEY wellaswildberries,areavailablethroughlocalretailers.In2011,honeyproductionwas

reportedon3farms.

GREEN- Asreportedinthe2011Census,greenhousesquarefootagedroppedfrom2006,withfewerHOUSING farmsreportinggreenhouseproduction.Areaunderglasswas42,354ft2in2011,compared

to54,052ft2in2006.Mostofthedecreasewasduetolessgreenhouseflowerproduction.ThislikelyresultsfromchangingmarketconditionsinWhitehorse.Forthepastseveralyears,largeretailershaveregularlyshippedpottedplantsandflowersfromsoutherndistributors.

ORGANIC Sincethe2006Census,organicproductionfarmnumbersareup,witheightfarmsreportingsales.Therearefivecertifiedorganicfarmsandthreefarmsintheprocessofbecomingcertified.Alleightorganicproductionfarmsreportedfruits,vegetablesorgreenhouseproductsforsale,andfourfarmsreportedsellingorganichayorfieldcrops.

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Government Staff Supporting Yukon Agricultural IndustryAGRICULTURE BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, MINES AND RESOURCES, YUKON GOVERNMENTTheYukonAgricultureBranchpromotesthedevelopmentofanagriculturalindustryinanenvironmentallysustainablewaythatwillprovideeconomicandsocialbenefitstoYukonersandhelpdiversifytheYukoneconomy.TheAgricultureBranchwasestablishedonApril1,1986,withastaffoftwofull-timeemployeesandonepart-timeemployee.Withthegrowthoftheagriculturalsectoroverthepasttwoandahalfdecades,thebranchhasexpandedtoeightfull-timeemployeesandtwoseasonalemployeesaswellasseveralon-callcontractors.FollowingareAgricultureBranchstaffpositionsandduties.

TheDirectorisresponsiblefortheoverallmanagementofthebranch.Dutiesincludedevelopingpolicyandregulations,managingthebudgetandfinances,administeringGrowingForwardfundingandotherindustryprogramsandoverseeingagriculturallandprograms.

TheAdministrativeAssistantprovidesadministrativesupporttotheemployeesoftheAgricultureBranch,itsactivitiesandprogramsandtotheAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanadaoffice.

TheManagerofAgricultureLandResourcesmanagestheagriculturalspotlandandplannedlandprograms.Thispositionrepresentsthebranchonseveralinterdepartmentalworkinggroups.

TheAgricultureLandCoordinatorprocessesandtracksagriculturalandgrazingapplications,prepareslegaldocumentsandadministersgrazingagreementsandagriculturalagreementsforsale.

TheAgricultureDevelopmentOfficerworkswithlandapplicantsonfarmdevelopmentplans,assessesrequireddevelopmentofagriculturallanddispositions,overseesoperationofthemobileabattoirandcoordinateslivestockcontrolservices.

TheGrazingManagementCoordinatorprovidestechnicalsupportfortheGrazingProgrambydeterminingthegrazingcapacityofYukonland,inspectinggrazingagreementsandwritingGrazingManagementPlans.

TheAgricultureSpatialDatabaseAdministratorcreatesandanalysesagriculturalspatialdata,providesmappingsupportservicestothebranchanditsclientsandassesseslandforagriculturalcapability.

TheAgrologistmanagesthebranchresearchanddemonstrationprogram,providesproductionandmarketingextensionservicestotheagriculturalcommunityandoverseespublicationofresearchreports.

TheAgricultureResearchTechnicianassistsinthebranchresearchanddemonstrationprogrambymanagingresearchplots,maintainingweatherstations,compilingandanalysingdataandhelpingwithresearchreports.

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ANIMAL HEALTH UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, YUKON GOVERNMENTTheAnimalHealthUnit,whichwasformedin2010,isresponsibleforissuesconcerningthehealthofdomesticanimalsandwildlifeinYukon.FollowingisAnimalHealthUnitstaffandtheirdutiesthatrelatetotheagriculturalindustry.

TheChiefVeterinaryOfficerisresponsiblefortheoverallmanagementoftheAnimalHealthUnit.Thisincludesdevelopingandimplementinganimalhealthstrategies,policiesandregulations;representingYukonasspokespersonforanimalhealthissuesandcoordinatingresponsesforanydiseasethreatoranimalhealthemergencyinYukon.

TheProgramVeterinariandevelopsanddeliverslivestockhealthprograms,helpswithfoodsafetyandlivestocktraceabilityprogramsandprovidesmeatinspectionservicesforthemobileabattoir.

AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADATheManagerofTerritorialAffairsforAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada(AAFC)workswiththeAgricultureBranchinthedeliveryoftheCanada-YukonGrowingForward(GF)ProgramandfunctionsasthesecretariatfortheGFBilateralManagementCommitteethatisresponsiblefortheoverallmanagementoftheProgram.TheManageractsastheAAFCLiaisonOfficertotheYukonAgriculturalAssociationCanadianAgriculturalAdaptationProgram(CAAP)CouncilthatisresponsibleforthedeliveryofCAAPinYukon.Inaddition,theManagerprovidesacontactpointfortheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)inYukonandrespondstoroutineinquiriesrelatedtofood,planthealthandanimalhealthsafetyissues.

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ResearchYUKON GOVERNMENT CROP PRODUCTION RESEARCHTheAgricultureBranchisresponsiblefortheYukonGovernmentResearchFarmlocatedattheGunnarNilssonandMickeyLammersResearchForest.Thesitehasbeenusedintensivelysince1988,initiallyfordemonstrationofcropvarietiessuitabletothenorthandevolvingovertheyearstoencompassanumberofresearchtrials.Workhascontinuedoncropvarietyassessmentsalongwithevaluationsofsoilconservationandenrichment,economicsofproduction,appropriatetechnologiesandirrigationoptimization.

ProjectsareconductedinpartnershipwithfarmslocatedinvariousareasofYukon.Partnerships,whichtakeadvantageofon-farmexpertiseandgiveinsightintothediverseclimatesinYukon,arecriticaltotestingresearchresults.

ResultsforresearchanddemonstrationtrialscanbefoundintheannualYukonAgricultureResearchandDemonstrationprogressreports.Copiescanbeobtainedonlineatwww.agriculture.gov.yk.caorattheAgricultureBranchfrontcounter.

Researchhighlightsfrom2010,2011and2012include:

SOIL Anongoingtrial,whichbeganin2010,istestingtheeffectivenessofamendmentsinAMENDMENTS northernsoils.Fourmajorsoilamendmentsarebeingtested:syntheticfertilizer(NPK),

organicfertilizer,compost,andcompostwithlime.FromresearchoutsideYukon,itwasexpectedthatsyntheticNPKfertilizerwouldinitiallyproducehigheryieldsthanalternativesoilamendments,butovertimethealternativeamendmentswouldproduceyieldscomparabletosyntheticNPK.In2010ourresultsfollowedtheexpectedtrendwithloweryieldsfromcompostandorganicamendmentscomparedtosyntheticfertilizer.By2011,thegapincropyieldbetweensyntheticNPKandalternativeamendmentsdecreased.By2012,yearthreeofthetrial,yieldsfromplotsamendedwithorganicfertilizermatchedyieldsfromsyntheticallyfertilizedplots,butyieldsfromcompostandcompostwithlimeplotsdecreasedbelowfirstyearlevels.

WHEAT InYukon,theuseofwheatislimitedtofeedgrain.In2009,wheattrialswerestartedtoexploredifferentmanagementpracticesandnewvarieties.IntheWhitehorseareaduringcoldgrowingseasonssuchas2011,wheatdidnotmatureandwasplowedintotheground.GrowingconditionsinthecentralYukonoutperformedconditionsaroundWhitehorsemakingwheatanattractivecropoptionwithyieldsbetween2-4tonnesperhectare(t/ha).Wheatseedqualityvaried,butitwassuitabletobeusedinfeedrationstosupportthesteadilygrowingpoultryandhogsectorsofYukonagriculture.OfthefivewheatvarietiesthatmaturedattheResearchFarmin2012,variety5604HRCLmaturedtheearliest.Thiscouldbeasignificantadvantageinmarginalconditions.

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FIELD PEAS FieldpeasofferanoptionforYukonproducersinterestedinamultipurposecropthatcanbeusedforfeedorsilageorasgreenmanure.AyellowfieldpeatrialconductedintheWhitehorseandcentralYukonareasbeganin2010.Fieldpeabiomassforsilageorgreenmanureplowdownrangedfrom4to10t/ha.FieldpeaseedyieldincentralYukonunderirrigatedconditionswasbetween1.5to4.5t/ha,whichprovidesanattractivelocalproteinreplacementforsomefeedmixes.Inwarmyears,fieldpeasmaturedaroundWhitehorse,butthehighestandmostconsistentyieldswereincentralYukon,wherethePolsteadvarietyproducedhighyieldsofmaturefieldpeaseedinallthreeyearsofthetrial.

OATS Oats,aversatilecrop,canbeusedforgrainorforageorcanbeploweddownforgreenmanure.AnoattrialconductedintheWhitehorseandcentralYukonareasbeganin2010.Throughoutthetrial,oatseedproductionwasviableincentralYukonandinsomelocationsintheWhitehorseareawheretherewassufficientheat.ACMustangoatswereaconsistentlystrongperformerandproducedyieldssimilartosomeneweroatvarietiessuitableforthenorth.ThetrialproducedsomehighyieldssuchasMurphyseedyieldsofover7t/ha.Yieldsforforageorgreenmanurerangedfrom4to12t/ha,dependingonmanagement,oatvarietyandclimate.Inallyearsofthetrial,irrigationprovidedgreaterconsistencyandyieldforgrainorbiomasscomparedtodrylandproduction.

POTATOES Twopotatotrialswereinitiatedin2012.Onetrial,conductedattheYukonGrainFarminpartnershipwithVanLoonFarms,comparedtheyieldsofseveralpotatovarieties.ThesixvarietiesplantedwereRangerRusset,RussetNorkotah,Norland,Chieftain,ShepodyandYukonGold.Norland,Shepodyandtherussetsproducedthehighestyields,andYukonGoldyieldednoticeablyless.Chieftainhadthelowestoverallyield.Asbakingpotatoes,russetvarietiesneedtobelarge,andthiswasnotachieved.

Thesecondpotatotrial,conductedattheYukonGrainFarmandtheresearchfarm,examinedtheeffectofin-rowplantspacingonyieldandpotatosize.AttheYukonGrainFarm,asignificantincreaseinpotatosizeandyieldperplantwasdirectlycorrelatedwithincreasingthein-rowspacing.Spacingplants62cm(24”)apartuseshalftheseedas31cm(12”)spacing,butthereislittledifferenceinthet/hayieldwithdifferentspacing.Attheresearchfarm,largerpotatosizeswerealsoseenwithanincreaseinin-rowspacing,buttotalyieldsdroppedespeciallyat62cm(24”).

FORAGE Theforagedemonstrationisanongoingprojectattheresearchfarm.Avarietyofforagespecieshavebeenplantedindrylandandirrigatedsystems.Anadditionalresearchprojecttocomparefallfertilizingwithspringfertilizinghasbeenimplemented.

RASPBERRIES Theraspberryorchardassessment,whichevaluatedmanagementandeconomics,startedin2005andendedin2010.Asmallorchardwillremainattheresearchfarmfordemonstration.In2010,raspberryproductionwasover130kg/1,000m2(.1ha),whichisanimprovementfrom2009production.

25

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RESEARCH FUNDINGCanadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (2010/2011/2012) TheCanadianAgriculturalAdaptationProgram(CAAP)isafive-year(2009-2014),$163millionprogramwiththeobjectiveoffacilitatingtheagriculture,agri-foodandagri-basedproductssectors’abilitytoseizeopportunities,torespondtonewandemergingissues,andtofindandpilotsolutionstonewandongoingissuesinordertohelpitadaptandremaincompetitive.

CAAPisasuccessortotheAdvancingCanadianAgricultureandAgri-Food(ACAAF)programandcontinuestosupportindustry-ledinitiativesatthenational,regionalandmulti-regionallevels.CAAPfundssector-identifiedprojectsthatalignwithprioritiesidentifiedbyindustryand/orgovernment.

TheYukonAgriculturalAssociation(YAA)signedanagreementinOctober2009todeliverCAAPinYukon.YAAhasestablishedtheYAACAAPCouncilwhichisresponsibleforadministrationoftheprogram,evaluationofprojectproposalsandprojectfundingdecisions.

Atotalof$924,066fundingwasapprovedforeightprojectsconductedunderCAAPin2010,2011and2012.AlistoftheseprojectsalongwiththeapprovedCAAPfundingcanbefoundinTable8.Abriefdescriptionofthemajorprojectsfollows.

Table 9. CAAP funded projects in 2010, 2011 and 2012

Projects Funding

PotluckFoodCooperativeCommunitySituationMappingandLiteratureReviewProject $10,800

ImprovingSoilNutrientLevelsandIncreasingCropProductionThroughtheUseofBiochar $214,349

DawsonCommunityFoodSurveyandMarketExpansionStrategy $25,901

NutrientConversion-InsectLarvae:WastetoFeedstuff $5,212

WasteManagementStrategiesforOn-FarmMeatProcessing $16,530

EvaluatetheSustainabilityandExpansionPotentialforIrrigatedAgricultureintheYukonTerritory $61,335

Hydro-KineticAgriculturePowerProject-Yukon(HAPP-Y) $282,294

FoundationalAgri-FoodSystemDesignfortheYukonTerritory $307,645

Improving soil nutrient levels and increasing crop production through the use of biochar Thepurposeofthisthree-yearresearchstudyistodeterminetheagronomicpotentialofbiochartoimproveYukonsoilcompositionundernorthernclimaticconditions.ThestudywillassesswhetherapplyingbiochartoYukonsoilshasabeneficialimpactonsoildevelopmentandproductivityinordertoincreaseagriculturalproductionanddiversification.Thestudyinvolvesalaboratoryevaluationofbiocharsproducedfromdifferentfeedstocks,andafieldresearchstudytotestbiocharundervarioussoilconditionsandwithdifferenttypesofcropsoverathree-yearperiod.Theuseofbiocharasasoilamendmentcouldreducetheneedforfertilizersandirrigation.Thesecondyearoftheresearchstudywascompletedin2012.

26

Evaluate the sustainability and expansion potential for irrigated agriculture in Yukon Theobjectiveofthisprojectwastodevelopalong-term,comprehensiveirrigationstrategyforYukoninordertoprovidetherationaleanddirectionneededtoaccessirrigationwaterforagricultureinthefuture.Theproject,whichwascompletedin2012,involvedareviewofthecurrentstateoftheirrigationindustryandastudyoffactorsandconditionsthatwouldleadtotheexpansionofirrigatedagricultureinYukon.Theprojectalsoexaminedfactorsthatinfluencethesustainabilityoftheirrigatedagriculturalindustryandprovidedrecommendationsonwaystoimprovetheenvironmentalandeconomicsustainabilityofexistingandproposedirrigatedagriculturalproduction.

Hydro-Kinetic Agriculture Power Project-Yukon (HAPP-Y) Thepurposeofthisprojectistodemonstrateandevaluatethesuitabilityandviabilityofusinga5KWverticalaxishydrokineticgeneratortoproducepowerforfarmapplications,particularlyfortheoperationofelectricalirrigationpumps.IfthistechnologyisprovenviableforuseonYukonfarmslocatedincloseproximitytosuitableYukonrivers,itcanleadtoamarkedreductioninfarmenergycosts,pollution,carbonemissionsandenvironmentalrisk.Itcanleadtoadditionalfarmrevenuethroughnetmeteringprogramsandreducetheoperatingcostloadforpotentialagriculturalindustrydevelopmentprojects.Commencementofthisprojectwasdelayedduetoenvironmentalassessmentrequirements,sotheactiveworkontheprojectstartedin2012withanexpectedcompletiondatein2014.

Foundational Agri-Food System Design for Yukon TheobjectiveofthisprojectistodevelopafoundationaldesignforaYukonAgri-FoodSystem(includingproduction,wildandtraditionalfoodprovisioning,processing,distributionandconsumption)thatsupportsYukonagricultureandfoodprovisioning,strengthensYukon’seconomy,promotesenvironmentalstewardship,fostersfoodsecurityandpublichealth,andstrengthensYukon’scommunities.ThisprojectwillproduceavisionandaroadmapforYukon’sagri-foodsystemfutureandindicatehowopportunitiesinthissectorcanbefosteredandsupportedbygovernmentandpursuedbycommunitiesandtheprivatesector.ItwillprovidecriticalinformationandtargetedtoolstobeusedbyexistingandfutureYukonfarmersandfood-sectorentrepreneurs(suppliers,processors,contractors,etc.),consumers,andcommunity,GovernmentandFirstNationsleaders.Approvalforthefirstphaseoftheprojectwasreceivedin2012,anditisanticipatedthatthisphaseoftheprojectwillbecompletedbyMarch2014.

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Extension ServicesTheAgricultureBranchprovidesawidearrayofextensionservicestoassistYukonproducers.AgricultureBranchstaffcanprovideup-to-dateinformationandadviceonavarietyoftopicsincluding:

landacquisition farmmanagement production marketing conservationtechniques newtechnologiesand farmfinancing.Consultationsaredonebyphone,byemail,atthebranchofficeandduringon-farmvisits.

TheAgricultureBranchcontinuestorelyonresearch,conductedattheresearchfarmandatanumberofYukonfarms,toprovideYukon-specificadvicetofarmers.Throughtheextensionservices,alinkiscreatedbetweenthisresearchanditson-farmapplication.TheRESEARCHsectionofthisdocumentprovidesmoreinformationonstudiestheAgricultureBranchhasundertaken.

Inadditiontoongoingresearch,thebranchhasanumberofotherinformationresourcesavailabletofarmers.Agriculturalpublications,booksandmagazinesareaccessiblethroughtheEnergy,MinesandResourceslibrary,locatedonthethirdflooroftheElijahSmithBuilding.

Since1987,theAgricultureBranchhaspublishedthequarterlybulletin,InFARMation,tokeepproducersup-to-dateonindustryactivitiesandevents.Thenewslettercontainsarticlesoncrops,research,productionservices,livestockhusbandryandindustrytrends.

Thebranchcontinuestocoordinateextensivewater,soil,feedandforagetestingservices,oneofthebranch’smostpopularprograms.Commercialfarmerscansubmitsamplesatnocostforanalysis.NutrientanalysisiscontractedtolabsinAlbertaorManitoba.During2010,2011and2012,approximately350samplesweresentforanalysis.Theseanalysesarehelpfultoolsfordeterminingcorrectiveactionstoattainoptimumconditionsforsoil,feedorwater.

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SeminarsTheNorthof60°AgricultureConference,heldthefirstweekendofeveryNovember,isYukon’sprimaryagriculturalseminar.ItisorganizedbytheAgricultureBranchandco-sponsoredbyAgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada.Thisseminarprovidesanopportunityforlocalproducerstosharetheirexperiencesandhearfromexpertsonavarietyoftopics.

In2010,theseminarincludedanewfarmers’forumtodiscusschallengesfacingnewYukonfarmersintoday’smarket,andanintroductiontoFarmBusinessAssessmentslookingataYukon-specificcasestudy.Thecasestudyexaminedthefinancialimplicationsofexpandingahypotheticalbroilerbusinessfromasmall400bird-per-yearoperationtoa12,000bird-per-yearoperation.TherewerealsopresentationsonpoultryandhorsenutritionandtheviabilityoftheAlaskaagriculturalindustryovertheyears.

In2011,theNorthof60°conferencefocusedonlabouroptionsandtractorshopping.

In2012,anumberoftopicswerediscussed,includingthenewonlineYukonLandsViewer,anoverviewoffarmcommodityinsuranceinAlberta,andanintroductiontoalivestockhealthprogramtobedeliveredbytheYukonGovernmentProgramVeterinarian.HistorianMichaelGatesgaveaninterestingpresentationontheGreatCattleDrivestotheKlondike.TherewereintroductionstotheYukonYoungFarmersgroupandtoKentMullinixandtheDesigningaYukonFoodSystemproject.Anoverviewofbookkeepingandfarmfinancialanalysisprovidedusefulbusinessinformation.

Yukon Master Gardener TheYukonMasterGardenercoursecontinuestobeofferedinpartnershipwithYukonCollege.Thecoursebeganin1997withhelpfromtheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanksCooperativeExtensionService(www.uaf.edu/ces/).Eachyear,localgardeningexpertsandAgricultureBranchstaffinstruct25northerngardeners.Over40hoursofinstructionareprovided,coveringgardeningtopicssuchasbotany,soilfertility,gardenmanagementandintegratedpestmanagement.

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MarketingOverthepastthreeyears,Yukonagriculturalproductshavebeenpromotedandmarketedthroughanumberofchannels,includingstores,websites,farmers’markets,face-to-facesales,industryassociationsandtheAgricultureBranch.Localproductswereplacedfrontandcenterinstoresandhighlightedonrestaurantmenus.WhenstoresandrestaurantsshowcaseYukongrownproducts,itreachesabroaderaudienceandbuildsawarenessoftheindustry.

Currently,Yukonproducerscantakeadvantageoftheopportunitytolisttheirfarmsandproductsontheyukonfood.comwebsitethroughtheYukonFarmProductsandServicesGuideorthroughindividualwebsites.ThePotluckFoodCo-opprovidesaglimpseofthingstocomeasitattemptstobuildanonlinestorefrontwiththeabilitytobuyandsellfoodandfarmproducts.Thisstyleofmarketingwilllikelybecomemorecommoninthefuture,anditwillprovidenew,affordableavenuesforproducerstocreateapresenceandtoselltoconsumers.

2012wasagreatyearforhayproduction,sothefallofthatyearwasagoodtimetopromotethereasonstobuylocalhay.AnumberofproducersplacednewspaperadvertisementstosellYukongrownhay.

TheAgricutureBranchcontinuestomarketYukonagriculturalproductsthroughtheInFARMationnewsletterpublishedfourtimesayearanddistributedthroughoutYukonbyfreesubscription.

TheYukonAgriculturalAssociationpromotesfarmsandfarmproductsthroughtheirbulletinboardandPloughboynewsletter.

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Canada-Yukon Growing Forward ProgramsTheCanada–YukonGrowingForwardpolicyframeworkisafive-yearfederal/territorialagreementtodelivercost-sharedagriculturalprogramstoYukon.TheobjectivesofGrowingForwardaretofosteracompetitive,innovativeagriculturalindustrythatcontributestosociety’sprioritiesandisproactiveinmanagingbusinessandbiosecurityrisks.TheoriginalGrowingForwardagreementexpiredonMarch31,2013.

NationalGrowingForwardprogramshavebeenadaptedtomeetYukonagriculturalindustryneeds.During2010,2011andthefirstthreequartersof2012,GrowingForwardprograminvestmentinYukonwasover$2million.Thiswascost-shared60:40betweentheGovernmentofCanadaandtheYukongovernment.

Table 10. A summary of federal and territorial Growing Forward investment in Yukon agriculture in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Growing Forward Program Area 2010 2011 2012* Total GF funding 2010–2012

FoodSafety:FromFieldtoFork $134,456 $107,573 $48,484 $290,513

AgricultureintheEnvironment $251,239 $295,761 $177,800 $724,800

EnvironmentalandFoodSafeFarmPlan $63,808 $43,825 $38,610 $146,243

HumanResourceDevelopment $81,278 $82,304 $36,012 $199,594

EnhancingAgriculturalOpportunities $110,316 $121,983 $100,726 $333,025

NorthernAgriculturalInnovation $179,481 $122,870 $80,539 $382,890

RiskManagement $13,735 $11,844 $18,141 $43,720

TotalGFfundingforallprograms $834,313 $786,160 $500,312 $2,120,785

* Includes data until the end of the third quarter of 2012.

Food Safety and Food QualityDuring2010,2011and2012,anumberofprojectsandinitiatives,designedtoimprovethesafetyandqualityoflocallyproducedfoodandtoidentifyandmitigatefarmbiosecurityrisks,wereundertakeninYukon.

Thelargestexpenditureinthisareawasfundingforacontracttooperateandmaintainthemobileabattoir($35,000peryear).Meatinspectionserviceatthemobileabattoir,whichisprovidedfreetoproducers,isfundedthroughGrowingForward.In2010,theAgricultureBranch,withassistancefromthePoultryProcessingCooperative,conductedapilotprojecttoevaluatethefeasibilityofusingthemobileabattoirtoproduceinspectedwhitemeat.Theprojectshowedthat,withexperienceandappropriateon-farminfrastructure,usingthemobileabattoircouldbeacosteffectivewayforpoultryfarmerstoproduceinspectedmeat,allowingthemtoentertheretailmarketstream.

Table 11. Number of Animals slaughtered in the mobile abattoir in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Year Beef Elk Hogs Chickens

2010 67 7 1 285

2011 16 0 0 0

2012 21 3 0 0

YukonproducersaccessedGrowingForwardfundingtoconstructon-farmmobileabattoirdockingfacilities,topurchasefoodsafetyequipmentandtoattainOn-FarmFoodSafetyCertification.TraininginitiativesincludedHazardAnalysisCriticalControlPoint(HACCP)trainingandfoodsafetytrainingworkshops.

Since2010,theAgricultureBranchhasbeenimplementingaPremiseIdentificationregistryforlocationsinYukonwherelivestockisheldandrecordingthelivestockpresentthere.Thisispartofanationallivestocktraceabilitysysteminvolvingfederal,provincialandterritorialgovernmentsworkingwithCanadianagriculturalindustrygroups.Theotherelementsofthetraceabilitysystemareanimalidentificationandmovementrecording.Todate,onlyasmallpercentageofYukonfarmershavecompletedPremiseIdentificationforms.

DISEASE MONITORING TheAgricultureBranchworkswiththeGovernmentofCanada,otherYukongovernmentdepartmentsandtheagriculturalindustrytomonitorplantandanimaldiseases.

TheinsectsanddiseasesthataffectYukonplantsandanimalsarelimitedinnumber.Mostproblemsrelatedtocropproductionareduetoweather.Livestockpopulationsaregenerallyingoodhealth.

Aspartofdiseasemonitoring,theAgricultureBranchoverseesthenationalChronicWastingDisease(CWD)programforYukoncervids.In2003,YukongovernmentimplementedaMandatoryChronicWastingDiseaseSurveillanceProgramandaVoluntaryChronicWastingDiseaseCertificationProgram.Theseprograms,whichareaframeworkforCWDmonitoring,provideassurancetonationalandinternationalmarketsthatYukongame-farmedcervidsareroutinelytestedforandremainnegativeforCWD.

PlantdiseaseconcernsshouldbebroughttotheattentionoftheYukongovernmentAgrologistat(867)667-5838ortollfreeat1-800-661-0408,ext.5838.AnimaldiseaseconcernsshouldbebroughttotheattentionoftheYukongovernmentProgramVeterinarian(867)667-8663.

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Infrastructure DevelopmentOverthepastthreeyears,infrastructureworkhasfocusedonincreasingon-farmprocessingcapacity,developingcommunitygardens,improvinggovernmentinfrastructuresupportandprovidingaccesstocooperativefarmequipmentwithinYukon.

ThroughtheGrowingForwardprogram,fundingwasprovidedtosupportthedevelopmentofsixcommunitygardeningand/orgreenhouseprojectsinfivecommunitiesthroughoutYukon.Yukoncommunitygardensaredevelopedlargelytopromoteeducation,trainingandhealthandwellnessinitiatives.Allcommunitygardenshavebeeninitiativesoflocalgovernmentornon-profitsocieties.

CooperativeprojectsledbytheYukonAgriculturalAssociation(YAA)duringtheperiodincludedthepurchaseoffarmequipmentthatisavailableforrentfromtheassociationandthepurchaseofbulkfertilizerbinsthatcanbeusedcooperativelybylocalfarmers.TheYukonYoungFarmersGroup,theGrowersofOrganicFoodYukonandYAAaccessedfundingundertheGrowingForwardAgricultureDevelopmentInitiativetoimprovecapacitywithintheirorganizations.

On-farminfrastructuredevelopmentincludedtheestablishmentoffacilitiesforfeedstorage,woolprocessing,meatprocessingandcooling,andvegetableprocessing,refrigerationandcoldstorage.

During2010,2011and2012,governmentinfrastructuresupportincludedthecontinuedoperationandmaintenanceofthemobileredmeatabattoir,theprovisionofmeatinspectionservicesandthehiringofaChiefVeterinarianandaProgramVeterinarianwhoprovideregulatoryandprogramservicestotheagriculturalindustry.

InAugust2012,Yukongovernmentsignedathirty-yearleaseprovidingYAAwith65haofagriculturalandgrazinglandsinafarmingcommunityjustnorthofWhitehorse.TheleasedareashouldprovideYAAwithalocationtodevelopcooperativeinfrastructureandtopursuerelatedagriculturalprojectsthatpromotethestrategicgrowthofYukonagricultureintheinterestsofallYukonfarmers.Leasesitezoningsupportsthedevelopmentofmeatprocessinginfrastructureandallowsforthesaleofagriculturalproducts.

Workonidentifyinganddevelopingpriorityinfrastructureprojectsfortheindustrywillcontinueincomingyears.TheAgricultureBranchcontinuestoworkonpoliciesandlegislationtoenablefurthermeatprocessinginfrastructureandislookingatoptionsfordevelopingawhitemeatabattoirinthesouthernYukon.Aswell,communityfarmers’marketsthroughoutYukonaresupportedthroughGrowingForwardinhopesthatthesupplyforYukongrownandraisedagriculturalproductsmaysomedayequalthedemand.

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Environmental ResponsibilityTheAgricultureBranchsupportsandpromotesenvironmentalstewardshipthroughanumberofpolicies,programsandprocesses.

Environmental and Food Safe Farm Plans ThroughGrowingForward,anumberofbeneficialmanagementpractices(BMPs)arefundedata50%costshareinordertopromoteenvironmentalsustainability.Bytheendof2012,57farmshadreceivedtheEnvironmentalandFoodSafeFarmPlanpackage,and40farmshadcompletedtheirplans.

Underutilized Land Initiative ThisGrowingForwardprogramprovidesupto$250perhectaretoimprovetheutilizationofexistingtitledfarmlandthatwasdevelopedforagriculturaluseatonetimebutneedsreclamationtomakeitproductiveagain.

Wildlife Damage Prevention Program ThisGrowingForwardprogramprovidesassistancetoprotecthigh-valuecropsandpasturelandsfromdamagebywildlife.Itprovidesfundingtoinstallapprovedwildlifefencesortousewildlifedeterrents.Thisincludespurchasingaguardiandogtokeepwildlifeawayfromcropareas.

Table 12. Environmental projects funded through Growing Forward in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Program Projects Total Cost of Projects GF Funding

UnderutilizedLandInitiative 11 $131,250 $32,350

WildlifeDamagePreventionProgram 12 $76,281 $32,990

EnvironmentalBMPs 36 $636,587 $197,338

The Environment and Agricultural Land Dispositions UndertheVision of Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture PolicyandtheYukon Grazing Policy,theAgricultureBranchdisposesofagriculturalandgrazinglandinanenvironmentallyresponsiblemanner.AgriculturalandgrazinglandapplicationsaresubjecttoareviewbytheYukonEnvironmentalandSocio-EconomicAssessmentBoard(YESAB).Thisprocessprovidesacomprehensivereviewoftheimpactsandpossiblemitigationsassociatedwithagriculturaldevelopmentofanarea.ThereviewincludesinputfromFirstNationgovernments,affectedstakeholders,otherYukongovernmentagenciesandthepublic.

AgriculturallandapplicantsarerequiredtosubmitaFarmDevelopmentPlanthatidentifiespotentialenvironmentalconcernswiththeproposedoperationandthemethodsthatwillbeusedtoaddresstheseconcerns.Thismayincludecommitmentstosoilconservation,watermanagement,shelterbelts,buffersandhabitatretention.GrazingAgreementholdersmustcomplywithaGrazingManagementPlanthatoutlinesgrazingmanagementpracticestopreventhabitatdegradationandtominimizeimpactsonwildlife.

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Economic DevelopmentTheagriculturalsectorcontributestoYukon’seconomythroughtheproduction,purchase,sale,processingandmarketingoffarmproducts,farminginputs,andfarmmachineryandinfrastructure.ThesaleanddevelopmentofagriculturallandandthegenerationofagriculturaljobsalsoaddstoYukon’seconomy.AgriculturestrengthensYukon’seconomythroughdiversification.Withthesector’sgrowthpotential,agricultureshouldcontinuetomakesubstantialcontributionstooureconomy.

Commercial Viability of Farms GrowingForwardbusinessplanningprograms,andcostofproductionanalyses,allowYukonfarmerstoidentifyandfocusonbusinessmodelsthatarecommerciallyviableinthenorth.Forthefirsttime,the2011CensusdemonstratedaclosinggapbetweentotalfarmexpensesandtotalincomeinYukon.ThisindicatesthatthecommercialviabilityofYukonagricultureisimproving.

During2010,2011and2012therewerecontinuedinvestmentsinequipmentandbuildingsonfarms,withnewbarns,tractors,hayshedsandspecializedequipment.Thetotalvalueoffarmcapitalhasclimbedto$86.5millionon18fewerfarmsfrom$66millionin2006.Thisfigureincludesland,buildings,livestockandequipment.

In2011,theAgricultureLandProgramshiftedfocustoacompetitiveapproachforplannedagriculturallandsales.(SeeAGRICULTURALLANDPLANNING).Thisnewprocess,whichplacesemphasisontheFarmDevelopmentBusinessPlan,isdesignedtoincreasethecommercialviabilityofnewagriculturaldevelopments.

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Enabling Competitive Enterprises and Farm DiversificationHUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTIn2010,2011and2012,theAgricultureBranchdeliveredthreeGrowingForwardprogramsthatprovidedlearningopportunitiesandresourcesforYukonproducersandagriculturalorganizationstobuildcapacitywithintheindustry.Throughtheseprograms,theAgricultureBranchhopestobuildasectorthatisbetterequippedwiththeknowledgeandresourcesnecessarytosucceedinanincreasinglydemandingandcomplexbusinessenvironment.TheprogramswillcontinueuntiltheendoftheGrowingForwardprograminMarch2013.

Agriculture Training Program:Thisprogramprovidessupportforthepresentationofagriculturalcourses,seminars,workshopsandconferences,bothon-farmandinmoreformal,educationalsettingstodevelopthehumanresourcecapabilitiesofYukon’sagriculturalindustry.Thisprogramalsoprovidessupportforindividualstoattendagriculturalcourses,seminars,workshopsandconferences.

Agriculture Internship and Mentorship ProgramThisprogramprovidesopportunitiesforestablishedmembersoftheYukonagriculturalandagri-foodindustrytohirenewentrantstotheindustryasagriculturalinternsintheiragri-businesses.Italsoprovidesnewentrantsintotheindustrywithanopportunitytoaccessagriculturalandagri-foodindustrymentors.

Agriculture Education ProgramThisprogramprovideseducationalresourcesfor“agricultureintheclassroom”activitiesandsimilareducationalactivitiespresentedbyagriculturalorganizations,andsupportsthedevelopmentofagri-basedcurriculumandcommunicationsmaterialsforschools.Inaddition,theprogramprovidesfundingforagriculture-relatedyouthdevelopmentandleadershipprogramsandsupportsthedevelopmentofagriculturalcommunicationtools,suchasnewslettersorwebsites.

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Table 13. Human Resource Development, 2010, 2011 and 2012

Program Number of projects Funding

AgricultureTrainingProgram 20 $68,061

AgricultureInternshipandMentorshipProgram 11 $19,347

AgricultureEducationProgram 16 $44,425

Total 47 $131,833

ENHANCING AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIESDuring2010,2011and2012,theAgricultureBranchdeliveredfourprogramsunderGrowingForward’sEnhancingAgriculturalOpportunitiesinitiativetodevelopmarketingactivitiesandstrategies,strengthenandsupportthediversificationofYukonagriculture,andassistindustrydevelopmentthroughinvestmentininfrastructure,equipmentandland.Theinitiativeshelptosupporteconomicdiversificationandincreasevalue-addedprocessingwithintheindustry,alongwithhelpingindustryidentifyanddevelopnewmarketopportunitiesandenablecompetitivenessandinnovationwithinthesector.

Market Development Initiative (MDI)Thisinitiativeprovidesresourcestoinvestigateandcapturenewmarketopportunitiesandtoenhancethecompetitivecapabilityoftheindustry.Activitiesincludemarketingandagri-foodpromotionalactivities,eventsandcommunicationmaterials,marketdevelopmentstrategiesandsupportformarketingorganizationssuchascommunityfarmers’marketsandcooperativemarketfacilities.

Asignificantnumberofprojectssupportedunderthisinitiativein2010,2011and2012camefromtheFireweedCommunityMarketSociety.TheSocietywasestablishedthroughfundingfromtheCanada-YukonAgriculturalPolicyFrameworkPrograminplacefrom2005to2008,andcontinuedtogrowwithsupportfromtheMDIunderGrowingForward.InadditiontoanOutdoorSummerMarketand“YukonMade”storeinShipyardsPark,theFireweedCommunityMarketSocietyhelda12DaysofChristmasMarket.TheSocietyusedMDIfundingtohireaseasonalmarketmanager,presentworkshopsattheweeklysummermarketandholdseasonaleventscelebratinglocalfood.

TheMDIalsosupportedYukonagriculturalindustryparticipationintheDawsonCityGoldShowin2010,2011and2012.

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Agricultural Development Initiative (ADI)Thisinitiativeprovidesfundingtodevelopagriculturalprojectsthatenhanceregionaleconomicdevelopmentandcontributetosustainabilityinruralcommunities.Activitiesincludetheintroductionofnewagriculturaltechnologiesandprocesses,consultantservicestoprovideprofessional,technicalandanalyticalsupport,andactivitiestoencouragethedevelopmentandcommercializationofYukonagri-basedornativecountryfoods.Thisinitiativealsoprovidesfundingforagriculturalinfrastructure,equipmentandfacilitiesrequiredtosupportagriculturalorcountryfooddevelopment.

In2010,2011and2012,theYukonAgriculturalAssociation(YAA)supportedthreemajoractivitieswithfundingunderADI.FundingwasprovidedforthepurchaseoffarmequipmentthatYukonproducerscanaccessthroughtheYAAequipmentrentalprogram.Duringthisperiod,ano-tilldrill,areversibleploughandatruckmountedsprayerwerepurchased.TheYAAcontractswithindividualproducerswhoareresponsibleforequipmentrental,maintenance,repairandstorage.

FiveYukoncommunitiesaccessedfundingunderthisinitiativetodevelopcommunitygardens.IndividualsaccessingtheADIduringthisperiodusedfundingforfeedstoragefacilities,retrofittingrefrigerationformeatstorageandinvestigatingthefeasibilityofalocalhatchery.

Diversification and Value-Added Initiative (DVAI)ThisinitiativeisavailabletoindividualYukonproducerswhowanttodiversifytheiroperationstotakeadvantageofmarketopportunitiesthatwillincreaseprofitabilityonthefarm.Theprogramalsoprovidesassistancetoprocessordevelopproductsthataddvaluetoprimaryagriculturalproducts.Theprogramencouragespartnershipsandalliancesthatimprovethecompetitivenessandcommercializationoftheagri-foodssector.FourindustryprojectsweresupportedbytheDVAIin2010,2011and2012,includingavegetableprocessingline,vegetabledehydrationresearchandproductdevelopmentandaninspectedon-farmmeatprocessingfacility.

Business Planning and Advisory InitiativeTheobjectiveofthisinitiativeistoprovideassistanceforindividuals,farmgroups,cooperativesandnon-profitorganizationstoaccessconsultantservicestoreviewpastrecordsandfinancialsituations,discussobjectivesandhelpdeterminecurrentoptionsinmeetingprofitabilitygoals.Theinitiativegivesapplicantsuptothreedaysofconsultantservicesandresultsineachapplicantreceivingabusinessprofile,astatementofassetsandliabilities,afarmbusinessratioanalysis,anincomeandexpensesstatementfromtheprevioustwoyears,projectionsandotherinformationrelatedtotheapplicant’sbusiness.OneYukonproducercompletedthisprogramin2012.

Table14. Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities, 2010, 2011 and 2012

Program Number of Projects Growing Forward Funding

MarketDevelopmentInitiative 14 $102,452

AgriculturalDevelopmentInitiative 21 $154,014

DiversificationandValue-AddedInitiative 4 $55,204

BusinessPlanningandAdvisoryInitiative 1 $8665

Total 40 $320,335

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Reducing Business RiskDuring2010,2011and2012,YukonproducershadaccesstoasuiteofBusinessRiskManagementprogramsdeliveredthroughGrowingForward.Theseprogramsaredesignedtohelpproducersmovebeyondcrisismanagementtolong-termprofitabilityandcompetitiveness.TheriskmanagementprogramsmostcommonlyaccessedbyYukonproducersareAgriInvest,AgriStability,andtheWildlifeDamageCompensationProgram.

AgriInvest Thisprogramisdesignedasaproducersavingsaccounttohelpproducersprotecttheirmarginfromsmalldeclines.AgriInvestreplacesthecoverageformargindeclinesoflessthan15%,whichwaspreviouslycoveredbytheCanadianAgriculturalIncomeStabilization(CAIS)program.Eachyear,producersmakeadepositintoanAgriInvestaccountandreceiveamatchinggovernmentcontribution.

YukoncurrentlyhassevenpeopleenrolledinAgriInvest.MatchinggovernmentAgriInvestdepositsin2010were$2,823andin2011were$3,178.Figuresfor2012werenotavailableatthetimeofwriting.TotalmatchinggovernmentdepositstoYukonproducersfromthetimetheprogrambeganin2007totheendof2011were$15,609.

AgriStability Thisincomestabilizationprogram,togetherwithAgriInvest,replacesthecoveragepreviouslyprovidedbytheCAISprogram.

AgriStabilityisbasedonprogramandreferencemargins.Aprogrammarginisdefinedasallowableincomeminusallowableexpensesinagivenyear,withadjustmentsforchangesinreceivables,payablesandinventory.TheseadjustmentsarebasedoninformationsubmittedontheAgriStabilityharmonizedform.Areferencemarginisdefinedastheaverageprogrammarginforthreeofthepastfiveyears,withthelowestandhighestmarginsbeingdroppedfromthecalculation.

Recipientsreceiveapaymentwhenthecurrentyearprogrammarginfallsbelow85%ofthereferencemargin.

TherewerenoAgriStabilitypaymentstoYukonproducersin2010,2011and2012.TotalprogrampaymentsbygovernmentstoYukonproducersfromthetimetheprogrambeganin2003totheendof2012were$159,853.

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Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Thisprogramwasimplementedlatein2007todealwithdamagecausedbyelkenteringimprovedpasturesandforagingonseededcrops,andtolessenconcernsregardingdiseasetransmissionwhenwildlifemixeswithlivestock.Untilthewinterof2006-2007,individualelkandsmallgroupsofdeeroccasionallygrazedinfarmers’fields,usuallyduringfallandwinter.However,inthewinterof2006-2007,alargegroupofelkremainedonfarmer’sfieldsuntilApril2007causingsignificantlosses.

Wildlifedamagetofences,foragecropsandseededpasturesvariessignificantlyfromyeartoyear,usuallydependingontheseverityofwinterweatherconditions.Claimsforwildlifedamagecausedbyelkpeakedin2009andhavedeclinedsincethattime.Fewerclaimsforwildlifedamageisaresultoffavourablewinterweather,GrowingForwardFundingforbestmanagementpractices,preventativemeasuresemployedbyfarmersandregulatorychangesthatpermitlicensedelkhunting.

Table 15. Wildlife Damage Compensation paid in 2010, 2011 and 2012

Year Number of claims Amount Paid

2010 4 $8,476.80

2011 3 $5,380.00

2012 0 0

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Agricultural Industry Committees and AssociationsInordertopromoteeconomicallyviableandenvironmentallysustainableagricultureinYukon,theAgricultureBranchcooperateswithindustryassociations,agriculturalcommittees,privateindividualsandothergovernmentagencies.FollowingisabriefdescriptionofassociationsandcommitteesthatencourageandsupportYukonagriculture.

Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC) Thiscommittee,whichismadeupofappointedindustrymembers,meetsregularlywiththeDirectorofAgricultureandotherAgricultureBranchstafftodiscussagriculturalissues.ThecommitteeadvisesgovernmentonagriculturalpoliciesandprogramsandthedevelopmentandmanagementoftheYukonagriculturalindustry.IndustrygroupsthatparticipateinAIACmeetingsaretheYukonAgriculturalAssociation,GrowersofOrganicFoodYukon,FireweedCommunityMarketSociety,GameGrowersAssociationandYukonYoungFarmersGroup.

Yukon Agricultural Association“If you ate today, thank a farmer.”

TheYukonAgriculturalAssociation(YAA)wasincorporatedasanon-profitsocietyonMay24,1974,forthepurposeoffosteringandpromotingYukon’sagriculturalindustry.TheAssociationworkscloselywithproducers,governmentandotherinterestedgroupstodeveloppoliciesandpursuegoalssupportiveofagricultureinYukon.TheYAAofficeisinWhitehorse,anditsmembershipcomesfromacrossYukon.Highlightsofthepastthreeyearsinclude:administeringCanadianAgriculturalAdaptationProgram(CAAP)funding,hostingpublicinformationeventsonfarmingissues,rentingfarmmachinerytoproducers,sendingrepresentativestonationalandinternationalagriculturalconferences,supportingtheinceptionofYukonYoungFarmers(YYF)groupandleasinglandontheMayoRoadfromYukongovernment.

YukonAgriculturalAssociation203-302SteeleStreet,Whitehorse,YukonY1A2C5Phone:(867)668-6864,Fax:(867)393-2747admin@yukonag.ca,www.yukonag.ca

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Yukon Game Growers AssociationTheYukonGameGrowersAssociationsupportsandpromotesthegamefarmingindustryinYukon.TherearefouractiveelkfarmsinYukon.SomeYukonelkfarmersaremembersoftheAlbertaElkCommission,whichisaregionalcontactfortheCanadianCervidAlliance,anationalgroupthatadvances,improvesandprotectstheprogressionofCanada’scervidindustry.YukonGameGrowersAssociationmembersparticipateinYukon’sagriculturalindustrygroup,theAgricultureIndustryAdvisoryCommittee.

Yukoniswell-knownforqualityelkgenetics,andinthepast,Yukonelkfarmersreliedonmarketingtheiranimalsasbreedstock.However,duetointernationalandnationaleventsoutsideofYukon’scontrol,marketsforlivegame-farmedanimalshavediminished.Proposedlegislationchangesinotherjurisdictionswithregardtohuntfarmsmightincreasenationaldemandforliveelk.

Theinternationalmarketforvelvetantler,whichhaddeclinedinpreviousyears,appearstoberecovering.Internationalpricesanddemandforvelvetantlerwerehigherin2011thaninthepastfewyears.Thereisalsolocaldemandforvelvetantlerproduct,whichissoldatYukonhealthfoodstoresandpetstores.

Yukongamefarmershaveturnedtolocalmeatsalestokeeptheiroperationsafloatandtohelpoffsetfeedcosts.Thereisastronglocalmarketforgame-farmedelkmeatbecausemanycustomersappreciatequalitygamemeatthatislowinfat,lowincholesterolandhighinprotein.Elkmeatislargelysoldthroughfarmgatesales.MostYukonelkproducershavereducedtheirherdsizethroughmeatsales.

WayneGroveeldorado@northwestel.netPhone:(867)393-1942

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Fireweed Community Market Society“It’s about more than good food.”

TheFireweedCommunityMarketSociety,establishedin2005,hostsaweeklyOutdoorSummerMarketinWhitehorseShipyardsParkfrommid-Maytomid-September,the12DaysofChristmasMarketindowntownWhitehorse,aswellastheYukonMadeStore,ayear-roundofficeandretailspaceintheFrankSlimBuildinginShipyardsPark.Theexpresspurposeofthegroupistocreate“anenduringandcooperatingcommunityofpeoplewhowishtopromotelocalproductionandconsumption.”TheFireweedCommunityMarketSocietyhasbeeninstrumentalinconnectingYukonproducerswithconsumers.

TheYukonMadeStoreprovidesyear-roundsalesforapproximately40vendors,aswellaslibraryspacefortheGrowersofOrganicFoodYukonandahomefortheYukonFoodProcessorsAssociationcomputerandGenesisdatabaseusedtocreatenutritionfactspanelsforlocalfoodprocessors.

TheOutdoorSummerMarket,heldonThursdays,hasseenasteadyincreaseinthenumberofvendorswithanexcellentshowingofhotfoodvendorsaswellasfarmers,artistsandcraftspeople.In2012,over85marketvendorsparticipatedthroughoutthe18weeksofthesummermarket.Therehasalsobeenanincreaseinthepresenceofnon-profitorganizationsparticipatinginthemarkets.Societymembersworkcooperativelyandassistnewvendorstobuildandimproverelationshipsbetweenvendorsandconsumers.Theresponsetothemarkethasbeenoverwhelminglygoodfrombothvendorsandconsumers.

The12DaysofChristmasMarket,attheendofMainStreetintheOldFireHall,ishugelypopularduringDecember.Almost90%ofsalesfromthismarketgodirectlyintovendor’spocketsbecausecostsarekeptlowbyusingvolunteerworkers.

In2012,theFireweedCommunityMarketSociety,whosemembershipconsistsofapproximately170localfoodproducers,artisansandprepared-foodvendors,focusedonimprovingservicesalreadyoffered.TheSocietycontinuedpromotinglocalproductionthroughsupportforitsmembersandparticipationincommitteework,suchastheAgricultureIndustryAdvisoryCommitteeandattheNorthof60°AgricultureConference.SocietymembersdevelopedandofferedworkshopsthroughouttheOutdoorSummerMarketandthe12DaysofChristmasMarketandthroughpartnershipwithYukonCollege.MarketmembersmadelocalproductsavailableandpromotedlocalfoodproductionattheEpicuriousGourmetFoodFestivalandtheGoMediaEventheldinWhitehorseduringthesummerof2012.

Box20228,Whitehorse,YukonY1A7A2fireweedmarket@yahoo.cawww.fireweedmarket.yukonfood.com

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Growers of Organic Food Yukon (GoOFY)MISSION: Growers of Organic Food Yukon (GoOFY), a Yukon society, promotes organic practices and provides support, education and advocacy about organic growing and processing.

GrowersofOrganicFoodYukon,(GoOFY)isaYukonSociety,isamemberofCanadianOrganicGrowers(COG)andhasadiversemembershipincludingcertifiedorganicproducers,non-certifiedproducers,educatorsandconsumers.Themembershipsharesthevisionforsustainable,localandorganicproduction,ensuringtheprotectionoftheenvironmentandthehealthofpeopleinthisbio-region.GoOFYwasformedinJanuaryof2003andwasachapterofCOGuntil2012,whenitbecameaYukonSociety.Thesocietywasformedtoenablefarmersandgardenersinterestedingrowingorganicallytoshareinformationandresources.

MembersofGoOFYareactiveandsharetheirexpertiseintheFireweedCommunityMarketSociety,YukonAgriculturalAssociation,GEFreeYukon,CanadianBiotechnologyNetwork,FoodSecureCanada,PoultryGrowersGroup,PotLuckFoodCo-op,SlowFoodWhitehorseandtheNorthernFoodNetwork.Membersparticipateonvariousindustrycommittees,suchastheGrowingForwardProjectEvaluationCommittee,andtheAgricultureIndustryAdvisoryCommittee.GrowersofOrganicFoodYukonhasapermanentmemberandonealternateontheboardoftheOrganicFederationofCanada.

GoOFYmanagesanexperimentalgreenhouseatYukonCollegefortestingnewtechnologiesforyear-roundgrowingusingorganicmethods.Membersroutinelyteachcoursesinfoodproductionandprocessingatthecollege.MemberfarmsarealsoinvolvedwitheducationthroughYukonschoolsaswell.GoOFYhashostedspeakersandproducedseveraleventstopromoteandeducateaboutorganicandlocalproduction.

Therearecurrentlysixteenmembers(individualsandfarms).Fivememberfarmsarecertifiedorganic.ThecertifyingbodyforthesefarmsisthePacificAgriculturalCertificationSociety(PACS),andallfarmscertifiedbyPACSaremembersoftheCertifiedOrganicAssociationsofBC.AsofJune30,2009,allthecertifyingbodiesusetheCanadianOrganicStandards.

GoOFYmemberfarmsraiseavarietyoflivestock,poultry,hay,vegetables,herbsandbeddingplants.SeveralmembersarepartofYukonFoodProcessorsAssociationandproduceprocessedproductsforsaleinlocalstoresandattheFireweedCommunityMarket.Threefarmersprocessfibrefromsheep,goatsandalpacaintogarmentsandyarn.Hidesarealsotannedandsold.

Certifiedorganicmeatchicken,eggsandturkeysaresoldatthefarmgate.Grass-fedbeef,goat,lamb,rabbitandpasturedporkarealsosoldbymembersatthefarmgate.GoatcheeseproducedinYukon’sonlycertifiedcheesekitchenissoldattheFireweedMarket,atAlpineBakeryandtolocalcaterersforspecialevents.Twofarmsareproducingcertifiedorganicgrasshay.

GoOFYmemberssellvegetablestolocalstores,attheFireweedCommunityMarketandthroughCommunitySupportedAgricultureandbyu-pick.

JoanneJacksonJohnsonBox20228,Whitehorse,YukonY1A7A2Phone:(867)393-4628(GOAT)jjj@northwestel.net

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Yukon Food Processors AssociationTheYukonFoodProcessorsAssociation,anon-profitorganization,wasformedOctober15,2006.Itsmembershiprepresentsallsegmentsofthefoodandbeverageindustry,includinggrowers,processors,retailersandservicesuppliers.

www.processors.yukonfood.com

Yukon Young FarmersAYukonchapteroftheCanadianYoungFarmers’Forum(CYFF)wasformedasasub-committeeoftheYukonAgriculturalAssociationonApril6,2011,tobringtogetheryoungandnewfarmersbetweentheagesof18and45.

ThevisionstatementforYukonYoungFarmersistoencourageandempoweryoungfarmersandtocreatenetworkstofostersharing,educationandhelpamongstyoungfarmfamilies.

TheYYFhasabout30membersindifferentstagesoftheiragriculturaldevelopment.Theorganizationaimstobringnewpeopleintotheindustryandsupportthosecurrentlyinvolved;toprovideneededtoolslikefinancialplanningadvice,accesstoavailableagriculturalfundingandnetworkingopportunities;andtoassistyoung/newfarmerstosucceed.

TheYYFmetseveraltimesinthewinterof2011/12andalsosenteightdelegatestotheCYFFAGM‘EnergizingOurMembers’inHalifaxinFebruary2012.AttendeesfeltthiswasverysuccessfulandaworthwhilelearningopportunityforYukon’syoungfarmers.YYFhasembarkedonworkshops(includingfarmbestmanagementpractices)andsocialsoverthe2012/13winterandwillsendfourdelegatestotheCYFFAGM‘InspiringInnovation’inOttawaMarch2013.Inprovidingnationalandterritory-widenetworkingandprofessionaldevelopmentsupporttotheyoungfarmercommunity,theYYFgivesyoungfarmersanopportunitytoshareandhearfromtheirpeerswhilelearningfromexperts.Thisgroupisbuildingmomentum,lookingtoexpanditsmembershipinthecommunitiesandworkingtopromoteYukonagriculturethroughpublicoutreach.

YukonAgriculturalAssociation203-302SteeleStreet,Whitehorse,YukonY1A2C5Phone:(867)668-6864,Fax:(867)393-2747admin@yukonag.ca,www.yukonag.ca/yyf.cfm

4-H Yukon4-Hisaninternationalprogramforyouthages6-20years.Itisdedicatedtodevelopingwell-rounded,responsible,independentcitizens.4-Hstandsforhead,heart,handsandhealth,whichisthemembers’pledgetotheirclub,communityandcountry.The4-HYukonprogrambeganin1981inWhitehorsewiththeestablishmentofthehorticulturalandbeefclub.Today,4-HYukonoverseestheactivitiesofthreemainclubs,inHainesJunction,WhitehorseandWatsonLake.Allthreeclubsarestructuredaround“TheHorseProject”whichinvolveslearningaboutPublicSpeaking,HorseHusbandry,Feed,Training,Financials,Health&VeterinaryCare,MaintainingRecordsandofcourseRiding.Althoughthethreeclubsruntheirmeetingsseparatelythroughouttheyear,theygettogetherannuallyforasummerhorsecamp.

20124HSummerCamphostedbythe4HSpiritRiders(WhitehorseClub)

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WebsitesAgricultureandAgri-foodCanada: www.agr.gc.ca

AgricultureBranch,DepartmentofEnergy,Mines&Resources:www.agriculture.gov.yk.ca

FireweedCommunityMarketSociety:www.fireweedmarket.yukonfood.com

YukonFoodProcessorsAssociation:www.processors.yukonfood.com

YukonAgriculturalAssociation:www.yukonag.ca

YukonYoungFarmers:www.yukonag.ca/yyf.cfm

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Useful ReferencesAgricultureBranch,EMR.InFARMation(QuarterlyBulletin)

AgricultureBranch,EMR.Vision of Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture Policy.

AgricultureBranch,EMR.Yukon Grazing Policy, 2010.

AgricultureBranch,EMR.Yukon Agriculture Research and Demonstration Progress Reports.VariousAuthors,2003–2012.

SereconManagementConsulting.Multi-Year Development Plan for Yukon Agriculture and Agri-Food 2008–2012.

StatisticsCanada.2006 Census of Agriculture.May2006

StatisticsCanada.2011 Census of Agriculture.May2012