Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan - Perth County

an opportunity to explore pork processing markets. In addition, the high concentration of corn farmingsuggests an opportunity to explore bio-materials or renewable energy markets.Figure 21 – Region Location Quotient Calculations, compared to Western Ontario, 2006Farming TypeLocationQuotient ClassificationHog and pig farming 2.26 HighCorn farming 2.25 HighDry pea and bean farming 2.09 HighDairy cattle and milk production 1.77 HighChicken egg production 1.67 HighWheat farming 1.60 HighOther grain farming 1.54 HighSoybean farming 1.52 HighGoat farming 1.33 HighFur-bearing animal and rabbit production 1.33 HighBroiler and other meat-type chicken production 1.18 AverageLivestock combination farming 0.70 LowOther vegetables (except potato) and melonfarming 0.65 LowAll other miscellaneous crop farming 0.61 LowSheep farming 0.55 LowBeef cattle ranching and farming, includingfeedlots 0.53 LowFloriculture production 0.47 LowHorse and other equine production 0.46 LowHay farming 0.40 LowNursery and tree production 0.17 LowFruit and tree-nut farming 0.17 LowIn order to pursue further local economic development opportunities in the farming categories, it isessential to bring together the resources of potential entrepreneurs and individuals already working withinthe agriculture and agri-food industry. An initial pursuit may include the production of value addedproducts for the local and regional population and eventually extending these products to outside of theregion.There are 4,095 residents in the region with occupations in the Agricultural Industry. A significant portionof the residents employed in this industry are in occupations unique to the primary industry (3,490residents or 85.2% of the total industry). The majority of the occupations are unique to agriculture, butexclude labourers (3,405 residents). Residents are also employed in business, finance andadministrative occupations (160) and sales and service occupations (140) in this industry.Perth, St. Marys and Stratford Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 50 | P age