By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles & Dori Modney - @Dori_Modney

“In the Field” looks at economic outlook for the ag industry and new opportunities for farmers

Feb 24, 2017 | 5:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE – In this week’s run of “In the Field”, we go over some good news for farmers, some potential new markets and statistics that show farm life is getting safer.

Economic outlook remains stable for ag industry

While some areas of the Canadian economy continue to struggle, there is one area that is expected to see a slightly better economic situation.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is predicting that net cash income for farmers is likely to decline slightly for 2016 and 2017, but will still be higher than the average over the previous five years.

Net cash income in 2016 is estimated to slip by two per-cent to $14.8 billion, with another seven per cent decline in 2017 to $13.8 billion.

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The department blames weakness in North American livestock markets for most of the decline.

Crop receipts are forecast to increase for both 2016 and 2017, due to strong sales canola in 2016 and increased grain sales in 2017, as last year’s bumper crop works through the market.

These receipts are expected to increase two per cent to $32.6 billion for 2016, climbing another one per cent to $32.9 billion in 2017.

New opportunity approaching for Canadian ag industry

Canadian producers are in prime position to take advantage of the coming agricultural industrial revolution, according to agri-food expert, Even Fraser.

The head of the University of Guelph’s Food Institute, explained that a growing global population, coupled with the fact that climate change is expected to make it more difficult to produce food, will likely add to the opportunity.

He did note that for the ag-industry to take full advantage however, more investment will be needed from the federal government.

With that support, he says Canadian producers are posed to become even bigger players on the international markets.

Farm fatalities down significantly

It looks like the ag industry is moving in a positive direction, as the latest Canadian Agriculture Injury Reporting information, shows fatalities are on the decline on farms and ranches across the country.

On average, 116 people died in ag-related incidents between 1990 and 2001.

Then, from 2002 to 2012, that number dropped to an average of 85 per year.

It was noted that between 1990 and 2008, 47-per cent of those killed in farm accidents were the owner-operators, while 14-per cent were their children.

Farm machinery accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for ag-workers.

Alberta ag minister launches trade mission to United Arab Emirates

Oneil Carlier, the agriculture minister for our province, kicked off a trade mission to the United Arab Emirates Thursday (Feb. 24).

His goal is to expand international trade and investment relationships, to help create additional jobs and diversify the Alberta economy.

He says both countries have tremendous opportunities, with growing markets for Alberta’s high-quality food and agriculture products.

One of the highlights of the trip will be participating with Alberta companies in the Gulfood trade event in Dubai. One of the largest events of its kind in the world, the trade show attracts food and hospitality exhibitors and buyers, from more than 160 countries.