Ch. 3 Land - Environment Yukon

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