Who Can Give Farmers In Canada The Help They Are Looking For?

Winnipeg, MB - Most commercial farmers in Canada feel that provincial organizations best represent their interests and until the U.S. border re-opens, BSE will remain the number one issue across the country. These findings come from the second Canadian Farm Trends Report, prepared by Ipsos-Reid's Agribusiness, Food and Animal Health Division.

Many of the top issues farmers face today relate to the continuing decline of farm incomes and decreased profitability. In addition to BSE, agriculture producers believe Canada's leaders and organizations representing farmers should address low commodity prices, trade barriers and the price of farm inputs as the top issues impacting on Canadian agriculture in general. Considering the major issues mentioned by farmers across the country, it becomes clear that they are seeking some help and need a leg up.

Farmers Focus On Declining Farm Income As Top Issue Facing Canadian Agriculture Today And Are Looking For A Leg Up

Many of the top issues farmers face today relate to the continuing decline of farm incomes and decreased profitability. In addition to BSE (49%), agriculture producers believe Canada's leaders and organizations representing farmers should address low commodity prices (28%), trade barriers (26%) and the price of farm inputs (20%) as the top issues impacting on Canadian agriculture in general. Considering the major issues mentioned by farmers across the country, it becomes clear that they are seeking some help and need a leg up.

L'union de a producteurs agricole (UPA) is the dominant voice of producers in Quebec (70%), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is a key organization in Ontario (46%), Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is the most often mentioned in Manitoba (52%) and producers in Saskatchewan most frequently mention the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) (20%) as an organization that best represents their interests.

• Various commodity organizations are mentioned in other provinces.
• Among national organizations, the Canadian Cattleman's Association (CCA) is most prominent (6%), mentioned by twice as many producers as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) (3%).
• Three in ten farmers are unable to identify any organization that best represents their interests (9% None; 20% Unsure), suggesting that many farmers are not aware of whom to turn to and believe their voice will simply not be heard.

In terms of farm management, producers turn to provincial agriculture departments (18%) most often for information and advice on managing their farm operation. Personnel at farm supply outlets (12%) and Accountants (10%) are also frequently mentioned resources. Agriculture Canada (3%) is fairly distant in the list as a source of advice on farm management issues.

• A third of farmers are unable to identify any organization that they can turn to for information and advice about managing their farm operation (29% None; 2% Unsure), suggesting that many farmers believe they are alienated and on their own.

To view the 5 charts that accompany this press release, please download the Charts PDF at the top of this page.

These results are part of the findings of the Canadian Farm Trends Report poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid Agribusiness, Food and Animal Health between October 20th and November 6th, 2004. Telephone interviews were completed with a representative randomly selected sample of 875 commercial farmers with farm sales of $50,000 or more. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 1773.3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire Canadian commercial farm population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and farm type compositions reflect the actual Canadian commercial farm population according to the 2001 Census data.

To view the January 14th, 2005 press release for The Canadian Farm Trends Report, click here.

To learn more about the Agribusiness, Food and Animal Health Division of Ipsos, please go to http://www.ipsos.ca/en/research/marketing/agribusiness/.

For more information on this news release or the Canadian Farm Trends Report, please contact:

Elen Alexov
Director of Marketing Services
Ipsos in North America
778.373.5136
[email protected]

About Ipsos-Reid

Ipsos-Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos-Reid employs more than 300 researcher professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos-Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada - including the Ipsos Trend Report, the leading source of public opinion in the country - all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos-Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.ca

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and reactions of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting and modeling and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2003, Ipsos generated global revenues of $644.2 million U.S.

To learn more, visit: www.ipsos.com

Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris Premier Marchй, and is part of the SBF 120 and Next Prime Indices as well as eligible to the Deferred Settlement System (SRD). Euroclear code 7329, Reuters ISOS.LN, Bloomberg IPS FP