North Perth is home to approximately 630 farms, managed by 920 farm operators. 2070 jobs can be directly linked to agriculture and Agri-businesses, while also providing strong support to our retail and service sectors. (Statscan Census of Agriculture, 2021) There are many exciting opportunities for careers in agriculture. Check out our Labour page for more resources.
Agriculture in North Perth
North Perth is a living example of a successful agriculture business ecosystem that has business ingenuity, diversity, and a wealth of well-managed, forward-looking farms.
The agriculture and food sectors are a critical part of North Perth’s business and cultural landscape. Home to some of the best farmland in Canada, the Municipality hosts a wide variety of farms, which support a myriad of food, agricultural service, manufacturing and further processing businesses.
From 147,412 acres of farmland, North Perth farms pumped $362 Million of gross farm cash receipts into the local economy, The Municipality is home to some of the most productive and valuable land in the province. North Perth’s farms have a combined capital pool of over $3.4 billion. (StatsCan Census of Agriculture 2021)
North Perth has many competitive attributes that make it a hub of agricultural activity. Major advantages and prominent businesses include:
Atwood Resources Inc. – Ontario’s largest bovine deadstock & rendering facility, and a key stakeholder in the circular ag economy and renewable fuel industry.
David Carson Farms & Auction Services Ltd. – Livestock, machinery, and farm auction services. Decades of experience auctioning & exporting cattle & horses across North America.
Erie Meat Products Ltd. - Leading secondary poultry & meat processing facility serving the national & international grocery & food service sectors.
Financial & Advisory Services – Listowel is a hub for agricultural finance and related services, hosting multiple ag-centred lending, accounting, legal and insurance firms.
Gray Ridge Eggs Inc. – One of the country’s largest and most technologically advanced egg grading stations. Gray Ridge is an important stakeholder in the Canadian egg grading and processing industry with grading, liquid, cooked and dried egg product facilities across the province and country.
Skilled Trades Hotspot – North Perth boasts a large pool of advanced fabrication, manufacturing & service companies providing cutting edge products, service & expertise necessary in today’s sophisticated agri-food systems. The Municipality is a leader in the development of the skilled trades workforce under the Set7 Skills & Technology Training & Education Program.
The ‘Machinery Mile’ – North Perth, particularly along Highway 23 between Listowel and Gowanstown, is home to a number of agricultural equipment dealers, selling and servicing a wide range of available machinery in one convenient area.
Wallenstein Feed & Supply, Monkton Premix Plant - State of the Art Livestock Premix facility serving both provincial and international markets.
Livestock
Commodity |
Number of Farms |
Number of Animals (Annual Production) |
Beef |
83 |
23,000 |
Dairy |
133 |
22,000 |
Swine |
70 |
160,000 |
Broilers & Roasters |
49 |
806,000 (13,200,000kg) |
Laying Hens |
66 |
115,000 (2.8 million dozen eggs) |
Pullets (Laying) |
11 |
109,000 |
Layer & Broiler Breeder |
9 |
119,000 (1.6 million dozen eggs) |
Sheep |
26 |
1,000 |
Goats |
45 |
5,000 |
Turkey |
9 |
143,000 (10,404,000kg) |
Source: StatsCan Census of Agriculture 2021
Crops
Commodity |
Number of Farms |
Acres |
Wheat |
296 |
23734 |
Corn |
379 |
41943 |
Soybeans |
307 |
33639 |
Alfalfa & Forages |
334 |
20788 |
Dry Edible Beans |
34 |
3054 |
Fruits, Nuts & Berries |
10 |
8 |
Vegetables |
12 |
90 |
Source: StatsCan Census of Agriculture 2021
Contact Us
Municipality of North Perth
330 Wallace Avenue North
Listowel, ON N4W 1L3
Tel: 519-291-2950
Toll Free: 1-888-714-1993
Matt Cardiff
Agricultural Specialist
Email the Agricultural Specialist
Municipality of North Perth, 330 Wallace Ave. N., Listowel, ON N4W 1L3
T: 519-492-1141
Toll Free: 888-714-1993
F: 519-291-1804
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