Hursh Consulting & Communications Inc.

Farmland prices in Saskatchewan continue to increase. The 2009 values have just been released by Statistics Canada. This is the average value of farmland and buildings in each province. The average value for Saskatchewan has increased to $498 an acre, up from $453 in 2008 and $408 an acre back in 2007. The last few years have seen increases of $40 to $50 per year. Prices been increasing since 1993, but the increases were much smaller until recent years. Land prices haven’t always increased. From 1982 until 1993, there was a steady decline. Back in 1982 the average price was $413 an acre. By 1993, it had dropped to $253 an acre. While the current average is $498 an acre, it should be noted that prime farming ground in the province has been selling for as high as $1,300 or even more per acre. It’s also important to note that average values in Saskatchewan continue to trail every other province. The 2009 average value in Ontario is $4,767 an acre – the highest in the country. Alberta is at $1,428. Even Manitoba is much higher than Saskatchewan at $833 an acre. I’m Kevin Hursh.