SASKATCHEWAN CELEBRATES AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MONTH

Saskatchewan will celebrate the importance of its agriculture and food industry during the month of October.

"The proclamation of October as Agriculture and Food Month in Saskatchewan's centennial year gives us a chance to reflect - with optimism, hope and pride - on the tremendous impact this multi-faceted industry has had on the lives of everyone in this province over the last 100 years," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.

The industry makes a major contribution to Saskatchewan's economic health, through individual farms and businesses, and the businesses they support, to the growing manufacturing and processing sector.

"Our farmers produce an incredible variety of high-quality, safe foods, from meats and cereal crops to pulses, vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices," Wartman said. "In addition, agriculture creates numerous career opportunities for Saskatchewan people, from business owner/operator to crops and livestock specialist to researcher."

In 2004:

• The total value of agriculture and food exports was $3.73 billion, accounting for 30 per cent of the total value of Saskatchewan exports.

• Saskatchewan produced 80 per cent of Canada's durum and 47 per cent of the country's wheat.

• The province produced 99 per cent of Canada's lentil crop, 95 per cent of the country's canary seed, 82 per cent of Canada's total mustard crop and 83 per cent of the nation's chickpeas.

• Almost one of every three beef cows in Canada can be found in Saskatchewan.

• Hogs marketed last year increased by seven per cent from 2003, to 2.48 million animals.

• Farmers purchased $6 billion worth of input goods and services.

• The number of value-added processors in our province has almost doubled since 1991.

• The food and beverage industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the province accounting for 27 per cent of all manufacturing shipments, valued at about $2.1 billion annually.

• Saskatchewan is home to more than 30 biotechnology firms whose work is assisted by Canada's only Synchrotron in Saskatoon. More than 700 Saskatchewan researchers work in areas such as biological water quality control systems, greener fuels, composite materials constructed from plants, foods grown without chemical additives and plant-based vaccines for infectious diseases.

"I encourage everyone to take the opportunity during October – and throughout the rest of the centennial year - to explore and appreciate what Saskatchewan's agriculture and food sector has to offer," Wartman said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031