Survey of Livestock Slaughter

Detailed information for fourth quarter 1994

This survey collects quarterly data on the number of hogs, cattle, calves, sheep and lambs slaughtered but not included in data pertaining to federally or provincially inspected plants.

Data release - -

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology
• Data accuracy

Description

This survey collects quarterly data on the number of hogs, cattle, calves, sheep and lambs slaughtered but not included in data pertaining to federally or provincially inspected plants. Data are collected through a direct survey of commercial slaughter plants in those provinces where complete commercial slaughter data are not collected by either federal or provincial departments.

The data released are included in total slaughter statistics, one of the components summarized in commodity supply-disposition tables. These data are used by agricultural industry analysts and producers as they make production and marketing decisions and by government analysts to monitor the livestock industry or develop agricultural policies in Canada. The data are used in the calculation of farm income estimates and flow to the Canadian System of National Accounts. Further, the data are used in the calculation of net farm income projections, produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in co-operation with Statistics Canada and the provinces.

Collection period: Six weeks following the reference period.

Subjects

• Agriculture and food (formerly Agriculture)
• Livestock and aquaculture

Data sources and methodology

Target population

All slaughter plants that are not federally or provincially inspected.

Sampling

This survey is a census.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

A questionnaire is mailed to every plant on the list. Response is usually 30-45%.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

Both reports and provincial totals are scrutinized to ensure that they are consistent with previous periods and industry trends. The data are matched (paired) to previous reports from the same company and the change (ratio) is applied to the previous total to derive the current total.

Estimation

To derive the estimates, two methods are used. The paired change ratio method involves matching current respondents with their previous response, summing to the provincial level and applying the change to the historical total to calculate the current total. In addition, as an alternative check, the current totals are expanded by using a raising factor. The factor is based on the proportion of plants responding to the survey.

Quality evaluation

The data are deemed to be reliable because the questionnaire is short and easily understood. The survey is only used to measure a small proportion of overall slaughter.

The survey results are evaluated through comparisons to previous estimates and other sources when available. Biological factors are used as a guide when evaluating the data or comparing to other data sets. A primary tool in the evaluation and final determination of the data involves supply-demand analysis and survey-based models that track the supply and demand of the particular type of livestock by province over time.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Data accuracy

Using a variety of methods this survey is subject to a review for sampling and non -sampling errors.