. Agri-news. Agriculture. 07/. 0000000000CO0000 May 1,1995 Horticulture's value averages over $3,300 per acre A component of Alberta's agricultural industry that is often overlooked can no longer be undervalued says the Council of Alberta Horticulture Industries (CAM) president. "Our survey shows just over 48,000 acres in horticultural production generates $163 million in sales, or an average of $3,373 per acre. That figure is substantially higher than that of traditional field crops," says Henry Heuver. For example, dryland grown hard spring wheat has a gross sales per acre of $ 120
. Agri-news. Agriculture. 07/. 0000000000CO0000 May 1,1995 Horticulture's value averages over $3,300 per acre A component of Alberta's agricultural industry that is often overlooked can no longer be undervalued says the Council of Alberta Horticulture Industries (CAM) president. "Our survey shows just over 48,000 acres in horticultural production generates $163 million in sales, or an average of $3,373 per acre. That figure is substantially higher than that of traditional field crops," says Henry Heuver. For example, dryland grown hard spring wheat has a gross sales per acre of $ 120, as an irrigated crop the value almost doubles to $225 per acre. In comparison, the gross sales per acre of seed potatoes averages $2,350, strawberries $4,950, green onions $ field grown flowers $20,320 and greenhouse poinsettias $217,000. Only per cent of Alberta's total land in crop production is devoted to horticulture. However, horticultural crops represent 11 per cent of total crop value. Heuver's numbers arc from the Alberta Horticultural Industry Surrey officially recently released in Edmonton. The survey was commissioned by GAM. CAM was fomied two years ago as an umbrella advocacy association for the horticultural sector. Its members include 10 different horticultural related organizations. "Our sector has been overlooked because of its small size, but its importance in the overall agriculture industry and rural development must k' recognized," says Heuver Horticulture is highly labor intensive. The survey found the provincial horticultural sector employs an average of one person per 16 acres. Nearly a quarter of gross sales represent wages. As well, high technical and management skills are required. "Combined with the substantial room for expansion to serve the provincial market, this means job opportunities and economic growth," says Heuver. "Every additional quarter of land diversifying into horticulture offers the equivalent of
Size: 2107px × 1186px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookc, bookcentury1900, bookleafnumber115, booksubjectagriculture
