Agriculture
Agriculture is important to Perth County. Following the wheat midge which
destroyed crops and caused an economic depression in the 1870s, farmers
turned to cooperative dairying resulting in the creation of creameries
and cheese factories. By the 1880s, Perth County was the second largest
producer of cheese in Ontario (Oxford County was the first). Animal farming
is also important with dairy and beef cattle and pork. Perth County is
known as the home of the Ontario Pork Congress because of its pork production.
The first agricultural society in the county was formed in 1841 in Stratford.
Within the next two decades about eight more societies were established
around the county to run annual or semi-annual fairs and shows.
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