Agriculture

Agriculture is the main industry of Shoal Lake, comprising close to one third of the area's economy. The Shoal Lake Agriculture District encompasses the municipalities of Birtle, Shoal Lake, Strathclair, and Park South. This district includes 228,579 hectares of which 66% is cultivated. The remainder is pasture, woodland, and water.

The topography and soil type vary from the rolling clay hills of Park, to the fertile Newdale clay loam soils in the Shoal Lake, Strathclair and Birtle areas, to the sandy loam soils found in the Wattsview Plains area. In areas where soil structure or topography limit annual crop production, forages are grown for cattle or as a cash crop.

The entire district lies within the Assiniboine River System watershed. Most of the surface drainage is local in nature, with run-off water from knolls and ridges accumulating in sloughs and depressions. Final surface is then provided by a series of rivers and creeks such as the Minnedosa River and Oak River, which all eventually drain into the Assiniboine River.

Mixed farming is the norm, with many cow-calf operations. Both commercial and purebred livestock are produced. The major crops in the area are:

- Cereals, including spring wheat, durum wheat, a small amount of winter wheat, barley, and oats
- Canola
- Flax
- Peas and lentils

 
Farms under 1000 acres have decreased over the entire district and the average age of farmers is also on the decline. As farmers in the 50-60 years of age range retire, their land is being picked up by farmers in the 30-40 years of age range, resulting in fewer farmers with larger farm units.

Shoal Lake has become a major centre for agribusiness. It is home to five implement dealerships which has led to Shoal Lake being known as "Westman's Machinery Capital".

Grain is shipped through the new Agricore United high throughput terminal that opened in the spring of 2000. Agricore United also recently completed construction of a major fertilizer distribution centre for Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Other supporting businesses include two fertilizer and chemical dealers, two seed cleaners, and a bulk fuel dealers. Shoal Lake is also home to the district offices of the Department of Agriculture and Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation.

Shoal Lake has recently welcomed its first valued-added processing EXP Feeds Inc, which uses an extruding process to create a plant-based high protein for animal feed.

recent community workshop identified developing diversified and value-added agriculture as a priority for the future. This includes attracting manufacturing and processing, exploring organic production, specialty crops, and a wider variety of livestock, and developing local agri-tourism. Have an idea? Contact our Economic Development Officer.

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