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Tips on completing your Census of Agriculture questionnaire

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Who should fill in the Census of Agriculture questionnaire?

The person(s) responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the management decisions of an agricultural operation.

What is an agricultural operation?

An agricultural operation produces at least one of the following products intended for sale. (It is not necessary to have had sales in the past 12 months.)
  • Crops (hay, field crops, tree fruits or nuts, berries or grapes, vegetables, seed)
  • Livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, game animals, other livestock)
  • Poultry (hens, chickens, turkeys, chicks, game birds, other poultry)
  • Animal products (milk or cream, eggs, wool, furs, meat)
  • Other agricultural products (Christmas trees, sod, greenhouse or nursery products, mushrooms, honey or bees, maple syrup products)

How long will it take?

It may take about 40 minutes to complete your questionnaire, but the time will depend on the size and type of your operation. The questionnaire contains 34 steps, but most operators only have to complete about a third of them.

What records will be useful in filling out your Census of Agriculture questionnaire?

The following records may help save you time:

  • property tax statements
  • 2005 income tax forms
  • crop management and herd management records
  • account books or computerized farm accounts
  • financial statements prepared for lending institutions
  • Canadian Wheat Board Producers' Permit Books
  • Crop insurance statements

What's new for the 2006 Census of Agriculture?

  • The questions about organic products are more detailed, encouraging operators to report those products that are certified organic, in transition or non-certified organic.
  • Fewer details are requested in the section about the total land area of the operation so operators may report the workable, non-workable, and rented land more clearly and easily.
  • To better reflect the methods used on operations today, more detail has been added to the section on manure use and application.

The law protects what you tell us

The confidentiality of your Census of Agriculture form is protected by law. Only Statistics Canada employees who work with census data and have taken an oath of secrecy see your form.

You can ask to see the information you provided on your 2006 Census of Agriculture after November 2006. To do so, write to the Privacy Co-ordinator, Statistics Canada, 25th Floor, R.H. Coats Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6.

Do you have to fill in the Census of Agriculture questionnaire?

Yes. Completion of the questionnaire is mandatory under the Statistics Act. A person may be liable to a fine of $500 or imprisonment for three months, or both, for refusing to answer the questions.

Need help?

The Census Help Line operates between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. from May 1 to May 31. If you have any questions, need assistance in completing your questionnaire, or require extra forms, call 1-877-594-2006.