Western Canada is fertile ground for the country’s economy — from Saskatchewan and Manitoba’s sprawling wheat fields to Alberta’s cattle and lush B.C.’s fruits and vegetables. The region is an agricultural hub and, with its abundance of natural resources, contains even more untapped potential. 

There’s a secret weapon to help farmers meet the growing demands of the agricultural industry — and it’s also homegrown. Steel buildings from B.C. and Alberta-based Metal Structure Concepts are designed with the right technology at affordable price points to meet the needs of contemporary farmers and help them thrive. 

 

Why western Canadian agriculture matters

If Canada has one thing, it’s space. At 9.985 million square kilometers, it is the second-largest country after Russia. 

All of that space spells opportunity for farmers and the agricultural industry, particularly for western Canada, where Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta lay claim to an awe-inspiring amount of sprawling, arable land.

Agriculture in Western Canada by the numbers
To say Western Canada is feeding the country is hardly an understatement. In Canada in 2021, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta were home to: 

• 82.3% of total farm area 
• 47.5% of total farms 
• 99.2% canola crop area
• 97.6% spring wheat crop area
• 96.2% barley crop area
• 72% of cattle and calf inventory

In British Columbia, horticulture — a.k.a. the science of growing plants — is the name of the game. In 2022, beautiful B.C. was home to: 

• 22.2% (one-fifth) of Canada’s farms classified as greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture 
• 20.2%  of the country’s Christmas trees (and the second largest contributor to nursery products)
• 47.2% of total mushroom-growing area 

Source: Statistics Canada

Northern opportunities
While farming is not the first thing to come to mind for most in northern Canada, thanks to the short summers and long, frigid winters, farming is still a noteworthy industry in the north. 

Horse, equine, poultry, and egg farms have a substantial footprint in the territories.

Steel warehouses and steel barns, with their customizable, open spans and extreme temperature resistance, are an excellent option for farmers in the north. MSC is not only experienced in working in remote locations like the Yukon, we love the challenge. 

 

Growing demands on the industry

One of the benefits of the large amount of land, crops, and food produced relative to our population here in Canada is that we’re able to grow more food than we need to consume, leaving plenty of food for us to export globally. 

At the same time, global demand is rising for some of the foods being produced in our backyards. Canada is the number one global producer of: 

• Lentils
• Flaxseed
• Oats
• Canola — a product that was invented in western Canada!
• Milling wheat
• Maple syrup
• Dry peas
• Lowbush blueberries

We are also among the top 10 global producers of:

• Mustard seed (2nd)
• Cranberries (2nd)
• Highbush blueberries (3rd)
• Soybeans (7th)

Walking down the grocery store aisles, you can see the need for many of these foods increasing firsthand. 

Lentils, for example, are finding their way into many everyday products as lentil flour to replace wheat flour, for additional nutritional benefits, or as a high-protein meat alternative. 

Plant-based eaters and lentil farmers rejoice—look at you, Saskatchewan, where 99 percent of Canada's lentils are produced. The lentil market is projected to grow by roughly 5 percent by 2031 and be valued at USD $33,370 million, driven by demands for healthier foods, meat alternatives, and processed foods. 

Poised for economic growth
While trends in eating habits drive demand for the food Canada produces, our country has to be set up for success to answer the call. Luckily, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada believes we have what it takes,  including: 

• Abundant access to land and water
• Access to international markets
• Strong research and development capacity
• Strong global reputation as a trusted supplier of safe, top-quality food
• Strong stewards of the land

 

The role of agricultural steel buildings in Canada’s farming future

While Canada is ready to unlock its full agricultural potential, Canadian farmers need to be as well. 

Farmers are the boots on the ground doing the hard work to support our economy, and ensuring they have the right tools and technology is essential to success. 

At the same time, staying ahead of innovation is costly in a demanding profession where profit margins can fluctuate. 

Thanks to the technological advances, affordability, durability, and versatility of agricultural steel buildings' applications, these structures are a simple but game-changing step in the right direction for the modern farmer. 

What farm steel buildings can do

There are many different types of farm steel buildings, each serving a different purpose depending on the business's needs, but they all have the power to increase profitability, reduce food waste, and lower maintenance time and costs. 

The different purposes for agricultural steel buildings could include:

• Heavy machine and equipment storage
• Climate-controlled steel buildings for food storage, including fruits and vegetables
• Hay and grain storage
• Workshops
• Seed cleaning and storage (check out AGVision Seed Wash)
• Wine production (learn why steel buildings are ideal for vineyards)

The list is essentially endless: if there is a type of agriculture, there’s a type of steel building that can support it. See all of MSC’s farm projects. 

Farm steel building types and applications
The buildings themselves go beyond standard metal buildings if the application calls for it. Below we explain some of the more common metal farm building types and their benefits. 

Climate-controlled steel buildings for food storage
This type of building allows the producer to store their harvest in a climate-controlled area, prolonging the life of the goods. 

The benefits of climate-controlled steel buildings are huge. In addition to the traditional benefits of steel buildings, including superior durability, affordability, and versatility, climate-controlled prefab buildings:

• Reduce food waste by extending the life of the yield
• Allow greater flexibility to harvest food closer to peak freshness
• Support sustainability goals
• Increase profits by minimizing spoilage

Steel barns
Like you’d imagine a traditional wood barn, except stronger, with lower maintenance, and with superior performance and affordability, steel barns can provide higher-quality protection and storage for farmers versus other materials. The benefits of steel barns include:

• Quick to erect, so you can get to work faster
• Fully customizable look, including roof pitch and colour
• Large spans and open interior spaces
• Low-to-no maintenance
• Superior insulation
• Pest resistance
• Weather resistance
• Excellent ventilation

Steel warehouse buildings
The versatility of a steel warehouse building allows it to really shine. Whether for grain storage, heavy equipment storage, or as a workshop, the benefits of steel warehouse buildings include: 

• It can be constructed in as little as six weeks
• Harsh weather and fire-resistant
• Pest resistance
• Resistant to mold and condensation buildup
• Customizable size and look
• Low cost and low maintenance

Leading the way in sustainability
Canada needs to think sustainably to secure its place on the agricultural world stage. Lowering greenhouse gas emissions for the industry has been a priority for Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada since 2015. While the government arm focuses on the big picture, steel buildings can play a big role in helping farmers achieve their personal sustainability goals. 

That’s exactly what Farming Karma set out to do when they enlisted our help to design several new buildings for their Okanagan apple, cherry, and pear orchard. 

By investing in cold storage and climate-controlled warehouses for its operations, Farming Karma has been able to substantially reduce its food waste and get closer to its goal of having “every apple have a home,” owner Avi Gill told us back in April. 

Investing in in-house, climate-controlled food storage means that Farming Karma will no longer have to outsource storing their fruit, which is enjoyed on its own or transformed into natural fruit sodas to bring waste to a minimum. Get the full Farming Karma story. 

 

Unique challenges, innovative metal building solutions

Expecting the unexpected is the motto for many these days, and in an industry as unpredictable as farming it makes sense to invest in solutions that can help protect your business from unique modern-day challenges. 

The challenge: Inconsistent yields due to drought, flooding, fire, or other weather events.

The solution: By offering superior climate control and pest resistance, atmosphere-controlled metal buildings can increase the lifespan of a harvest and reduce food waste. 

The challenge: Extreme weather, including heat, cold, and heavy rain or snow.

The solution: As the weather continues to become more volatile, it is vital for farmers to be able to control the associated risks. While metal buildings can’t prevent a drought or dam a flood, they can withstand many of the curveballs climate can throw at them thanks to their superior strength, ductility, and stability. 

The challenge: Inflation and the rising cost of living.

The solution: Steel buildings are an investment in your bottom line. Not only are they affordable to construct, but building times are very fast, so you can be operational quicker. The durability, strength, and low maintenance make them an excellent choice for tight budgets. You won’t have to worry about endless repairs and upgrades. 

Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Western Canada for over 20 years. From retail spaces to warehouses to wineries and more, we are the experts for your next project. Contact us today for a free quote.