Ch. 3 Land - Environment Yukon
Ch. 3 Land - Environment Yukon
Ch. 3 Land - Environment Yukon
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with the objective of import replacement<br />
2 (Figure 3.22)<br />
The agriculture policy also states that<br />
future development should include<br />
finding the right crops and products<br />
for the export market. Game farming<br />
has already reached the export market.<br />
<strong>Yukon</strong> elk breeding stock and antler<br />
velvet are considered among the best<br />
in Canada. The one woodland bison<br />
operation in the <strong>Yukon</strong> produces top<br />
quality breeding stock. Reindeer from<br />
the <strong>Yukon</strong> (classed as domestic stock)<br />
have been supplied to British Columbia,<br />
Alberta and Saskatchewan where<br />
reindeer farming has just recently been<br />
permitted 2.<br />
Constraints to Agricultural<br />
Development<br />
Although a variety of crops can be<br />
grown, there are constraints to<br />
agriculture in the <strong>Yukon</strong>. Climate is the<br />
most significant. The number of frost<br />
free days ranges from approximately<br />
21 in Haines Junction to 75 around<br />
Dawson City. Killing frosts may occur in<br />
any month of the year over most of<br />
the territory.<br />
While there is some Class 3 and 4<br />
agricultural land in the <strong>Yukon</strong>, most<br />
agricultural development in the territory<br />
is on Class 5 land, only suitable<br />
for forage crops and cool climate<br />
vegetables. The best areas in Canada,<br />
such as the Fraser River Valley and<br />
parts of southern Ontario, are Classes 1<br />
and 2 (suitable for a wide range of<br />
crops, including fruits and vegetables).<br />
Due to the mountainous terrain, the<br />
majority of the agricultural land in<br />
the <strong>Yukon</strong> is located in major river<br />
valleys (Figure 3.23).<br />
In 1997, the <strong>Yukon</strong> Agriculture Branch<br />
carried out an agriculture land utilization<br />
survey in the range of the Southern<br />
Lakes caribou herd (see Wildlife<br />
section). The results indicate underutilization<br />
of the land disposed of for<br />
agriculture with only 40 per cent of<br />
land adequately used 3. According to<br />
an official of the Agriculture Branch,<br />
there are a number of reasons for the<br />
low utilization of agricultural land.<br />
■ Agricultural land has been<br />
acquired by some people who<br />
want a rural residential parcel<br />
and may not have an interest in<br />
farm development.<br />
■ Farming and farm development<br />
require considerable capital, time<br />
and a great deal of hard work<br />
■ The agricultural policy does not<br />
Porcupine River<br />
Yu kon River<br />
Ogilvie River<br />
Stewart River<br />
Pelly River<br />
require this land to stay in<br />
production nor does it set any<br />
expected level of production.<br />
As a result, without a strong<br />
incentive to remain in production,<br />
many would-be-farmers drift<br />
out of farming or use the land<br />
at a low farming intensity.<br />
■ Other than the recent (1999)<br />
construction of the abattoir, there<br />
has been limited infrastructure to<br />
support agriculture in the <strong>Yukon</strong><br />
(e.g. vegetable storage, cost<br />
effective irrigation programs) 4.<br />
Liard River<br />
Agricultural <strong>Land</strong><br />
Figure 3.23 Areas in <strong>Yukon</strong> where Climate is Judged Suitable for Agriculture<br />
The most suitable regions are near Dawson City, Stewart River, south of Stewart<br />
Crossing to Pelly River and Carmacks where the climate is class 3 and 4. While the best<br />
soils in these areas are capable of production of barley, oats, forages and a wide range<br />
of vegetables, most agricultural development in the <strong>Yukon</strong> is on Class Five land, only<br />
suitable for forage crops and cool climate, frost tolerant vegetables 2.<br />
C H A P T E R 3 L A N D ❧ 6 3