Table 4
Modifications and comments by data users about existing topics on the Census of Agriculture
| Topic (Step number in 2011 questionnaire) |
Submission received from data users | Number of comments submitted | Assessment of suggestion - Does the suggested modification meet the criteria to be included in testing as outlined in the feedback and submission form? What were the results from testing? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 All Steps | General support from data users to retain all questions on the Census of Agriculture form | 8 | n.a. |
| 4A- Core content on the discussion questionnaire: | |||
| 1.1-Core Content Questions | Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the core content on the Census of Agriculture | 9 | All of the core content questions were included in the IT1 and IT2 qualitative testing and some were also tested in MP1 and MP2 testing to ensure terms were universally understood and consistently defined. |
| General support to retain the core content on the Census of Agriculture | 31 | ||
| Some steps are rarely or never used | 2 | Industry support for retaining all of the core content questions on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.2-Bees (Step 23) |
Ask whether the operation rents hives | 1 | The section on bees was not expanded due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. These additional questions could be evaluated for inclusion in Statistics Canada's Survey, Honey Production, Value and Colonies (3419). |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 2 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.3-Fruit, Berries or Nuts (Step 11) |
Add a breakout to blueberries for highbush blueberries and wild blueberries | 1 | Separating blueberries into two categories was assessed. A break out for this topic would take up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. The areas of highbush and lowbush blueberries are asked for separately in the Fruit and Vegetables Survey (3407). |
| Ask for the area of berries to be harvested and the total area under cultivation separately | 1 | Separating berries into the area harvested and the area under cultivation would take up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. | |
| Expand question to ask for area to be harvested and total area under cultivation separately | 1 | Some data are available from the Fruit and Vegetables Survey (3407). | |
| Add additional 'other' boxes to capture the diversity of crops and ethnic produce produced | 1 | An attempt to collect such data would result in increased response burden for data that would not be publishable since data on crops that are not widely cultivated (such as ethnic produce) would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| Ask for the number of fruit trees that are bearing and non-bearing separately | 1 | There was a breakout for bearing and non-bearing fruit trees in 1996; however it has since been combined. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increased response burden. The producing and non-producing areas are asked for separately in the Fruit and Vegetables Survey (3407). |
|
| Add columns to fruit step for operator to report percentage of production that is organic or sold through direct marketing | 1 | Additional columns on the percentage organic or sold directly would have to be asked for all commodities and this would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire. An attempt to collect such detailed data would result in increased response burden. |
|
| Add a breakout to grapes for processing and grapes for fresh market/table grapes | 1 | This topic is too specific for the Census of Agriculture. Some data are available from Statistics Canada's Fruits and Vegetables Survey (3407). | |
| 1.4-Greenhouse (Step 20) |
Add questions about greenhouse equipment and practices such as the use of automated irrigation and climate control systems including heating and ventilation capabilities, utilization of hydroponic methods, growth medium and water use. Differentiate between high tech greenhouses and lower tech greenhouses. Add a breakout of the crops grown in greenhouses. |
1 | The use of greenhouse automation in the technology step tested well in the qualitative tests (see Technology below). The greenhouse section was not expanded because it would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. These additional questions are too specific for the Census of Agriculture. These questions could be evaluated to be added to Statistics Canada's Annual Greenhouse, Sod and Nursery Survey (3416). |
| 1.5-Gross Farm Receipts (Step 31) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 2 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 1 | ||
| Expand to include a breakdown of receipts | 1 | A breakdown of receipts would take up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 3 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.6-Maple Tree Taps (Step 22) |
Include the volume of sap tapped and include other types of trees that are tapped for syrup | 1 | Volume information is available from the Statistics Canada's Maple Products Survey (3414). These additional questions are too specific for the Census of Agriculture. Data for other types of trees tapped would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 2 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.7-Market Value of Land and Buildings (Step 29) |
Remove section since more accurate market value data is available from Farm Credit Corporation | 1 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Depending on the results of the research, some were included in qualitative testing. Suggestions that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Remove section since operator estimates of market value are not very accurate and administrative data sources exist | 1 | ||
| Use tax assessments from the provinces for the market value of land and buildings | 1 | ||
| Use administrative data such as the tax assessment provided by the provinces | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 3 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.8-Mushrooms (Step 21) |
Expand mushroom step to include types, volumes, substrates and packaging | 1 | The Census of Agriculture is not the preferred way to collect detailed data for this topic. An attempt to collect such detailed data would result in increased response burden for data that would not be publishable due to confidentiality protection. Mushroom production data are collected in the Mushroom Growers' Survey (3411). |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.9-Poultry (Step 24) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 2 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Add age at slaughter to poultry question to distinguish between commercial and heritage breeds | 1 | An attempt to collect such data would result in increased response burden for data that would not be publishable since data on heritage breeds that are not widely raised would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| Change question to ask for the annual inventory of birds instead of the inventory on Census Day | 1 | Inventories are asked for Census Day to be consistent with past censuses and continue the data series. | |
| Add a question to ask if the operation has quota | 1 | Questions about quota were not tested because administrative data are collected through supply management boards. | |
| 1.10-Poultry - Hatchery (Step 27) |
Administrative data is available for registered production | 2 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | ||
| 1.11-Sod, Nursery Products, Christmas Trees (Step 10) |
Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. |
| 1.12-Total Area of Land (Step 7) |
Ask for the ownership of land rented by the operation | 6 | Many respondents are not comfortable sharing detailed information about rented land. Expanding this section would take up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. The total area of land was included in the MP1, IT1 and IT2 qualitative tests. |
| Ask a question about the ownership of the land | 1 | ||
| Ask for the amount of land farmed by geotownship for each operation | 1 | Micro level data are not publishable and would be suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| 1.13-Units of Measurement | Clarify reporting units of measurement for each step | 1 | This topic was discussed with participants during each stage of qualitative testing. In general, units of measurement were understood by most participants. |
| 1.14-Vegetables (Step 9) |
Add column to vegetable step to report percentage of production that is organic | 1 | Additional columns on the percentage of organic or sold directly for all commodities were not added due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. An attempt to collect further detail of less common practices would likely result in data suppressions for confidentiality protection. |
| Add column to vegetable step to report percentage of production that is sold through direct marketing | 1 | ||
| Add additional 'other' boxes to capture the diversity of crops and ethnic product produced | 1 | An attempt to collect further detail would result in increased response burden for data that would not be publishable since data on crops that are not widely cultivated would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| 1.15-Workable and Non-Workable Land (Step 12) |
Ask if operation has severed or subdivided land parcels | 1 | These questions are not in scope for the Census of Agriculture, which covers primary agricultural activities. |
| Ask for detailed breakout of natural pasture land | 1 | Regional differences make breakouts for this topic too detailed for the Census of Agriculture. Some of the breakdowns suggested were tested in previous censuses and were found too difficult for respondents. Also, some of the terms are not universally understood or consistently defined across the country. Some suggestions are too detailed or uncommon for the Census of Agriculture. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increased response burden. |
|
| Ask for breakout details of pasture land (such as rotational, type and class of land) | 1 | ||
| Ask for breakout of woodlot area from woodlands and wetlands | 1 | ||
| Separate woodland pasture from natural land for pasture to provide an estimate for both woodland and natural grassland pastures | 1 | ||
| Separate woodlands and wetlands | 3 | ||
| Ask for the size of the farmstead | 1 | The farmstead is included in other land. | |
| 4B- Core content with removal of categories or combining categories indicated on the discussion questionnaire: | |||
| 1.16- Field Crops and Hay (Step 8) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 1 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Add a question about biofuel crops | 2 | This topic is too specific for the Census of Agriculture. It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms that are more likely to grow biofuel crops rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. Data for uncommon crops would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. Some data are available from Statistics Canada's Survey of Grain Used for Industrial Purposes (5153). The survey is conducted three times per year. These additional questions could be evaluated to be added to Statistics Canada's Field Crop Surveys (3401). |
|
| Add a question about area of crop grown specifically for bio-products | 7 | ||
| Ask question about area and percent seeded with certified seed | 1 | Questions regarding organic, GMO or certified seed would have to be asked for all commodity sections. Additional detailed questions could not be added to the commodity sections because it would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire and it would have increased response burden. An attempt to collect further detail on GMO or organic crops would result in increasing burden. |
|
| Ask for percentage of field crops that is either organic or GMO | 1 | ||
| Change order of crops so that similar crops are together | 1 | The order of crops is grouped by similar crops (grains together, etc). The order of crops listed on the questionnaire has been tested and has worked well for many censuses. | |
| Move the potato question to the vegetable step | 1 | Potatoes are not in the vegetable step because they are considered field crops. The order of crops listed on the questionnaire has been tested and has worked well for many censuses. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Separate category for caraway was removed from the discussion questionnaire. | Support moving caraway from separate category to other crop category | 3 | Between censuses, the frequency with which individual crops and livestock are reported is studied at the Canada level. The results of this analysis determine which commodities will receive their own question on the questionnaire and which will be included in the "Other - Specify" category, to be filled in by respondents. The separate category for caraway was removed and added to "other" crops for qualitative testing. Changes to topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Do not move caraway from separate category to other crops category | 2 | ||
| 1.17-Livestock (Step 28) Separate categories for rabbits, elk, deer, wild boars and mink were removed from the discussion questionnaire. |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 3 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Do not move infrequently reported livestock to 'other' category | 10 | Between censuses, the frequency with which individual crops and livestock are reported is studied at the Canada level. The results of this analysis determine which commodities will receive their own question on the questionnaire and which will be included in the "Other - Specify" category, to be filled in by respondents. | |
| Add breakout of dairy and beef calves and steers. | 1 | A breakout of the dairy and beef calves and steers could not be added to the Census of Agriculture because it would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire and it would have increased response burden. | |
| Add a breakout for dairy and beef calves | 1 | ||
| Ask for breakout of deer by species | 1 | The livestock section was not expanded due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. Regional differences make breakouts for some livestock categories too specific for the Census of Agriculture and would result in data being suppressed for confidentiality protection. Some of the breakdowns suggested were tested in previous censuses and were found to be too burdensome for respondents. Local testing for a breakout of meat and dairy goats was completed for the 2011 Census of Agriculture; however, it was not well received by respondents. |
|
| Add breakouts for number of goats (does, bucks, kids) and end use (meat, dairy, fiber) | 1 | ||
| Ask for breakout of goats and deer by intended use | 1 | ||
| Add breakout for goat numbers by use and ask for dairy production | 1 | ||
| Add breakout for goats | 1 | ||
| Add breakout for bison breeding cows | 1 | A breakout for bison breeding cows was tested for 2011 and showed that the increased detail was not of good quality. | |
| Add breakdown of feedlots vs. cow-calf operations | 1 | Data for cow/calf and feedlot operations can be derived through a custom data request by User Services with data currently collected. | |
| Add question on whether the confined feeding operation is owned or operated and whether it is licensed | 1 | Additional questions for the livestock section could not be added to the Census of Agriculture because it would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire and it would have increased response burden. Also, these topics are not nationally applicable and would result in data being suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| Ask for details on livestock quality programs | 1 | ||
| Ask for the Premise Identification Number for traceability | 1 | Not all operations have a Premise Identification Number and some are not comfortable sharing this information on the Census of Agriculture. Administrative data are collected through traceability programs. | |
| Keep rabbits as a separate category in livestock | 5 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Between censuses, the frequency with which individual crops and livestock are reported is studied at the Canada level. The results of this analysis determine which commodities will receive their own question on the questionnaire and which will be included in the "Other - Specify" category, to be filled in by respondents. Rabbits remained a separate category during qualitative testing. Suggestions that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the National Census Test. |
|
| 1.18- (Farm) Machinery and Equipment (Step 30) Categories on the discussion questionnaire were combined into tractors; farm vehicles; harvesting equipment; tillage, cultivation, seeding and planting equipment; and all other farm machinery and equipment. |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 10 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| Agree with combining machinery categories or provided suggestions for which categories to combine | 10 | Due to the reduction in paper size of the Census of Agriculture questionnaire, some machinery categories were combined. The combined categories were included in all qualitative testing. Changes to topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. | |
| Do not want any machinery combined | 4 | ||
| Add a breakdown for leased and owned machinery | 1 | Additional columns were not added to the machinery section because it would have taken up too much space on the questionnaire and it would have increased response burden. Also, the breakdown is too specific for the Census of Agriculture. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable for confidentiality protection. Leased and owned data for machinery and equipment are available from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). |
|
| Add machinery and equipment used for mushroom production | 1 | Questions are too specific for the Census of Agriculture. Information about the mushroom industry is being captured through Statistics Canada's Mushroom Growers Survey (3411). This would result in increased response burden for data that would not be publishable since data on machinery and equipment not widely used would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. |
|
| Ask for the number and not the value of equipment. | 1 | Industry support for retaining this question on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.19-Operating Expenses (Step 32) Detailed expenses were marked for removal from the discussion questionnaire to be replaced by taxation data. Taxation data replacement would combine some expenses together. |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 5 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 12 | ||
| Tax replacement data and combining expense categories will meet data needs | 5 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Replacing the detailed operating expenses with tax data was very well received by respondents during testing. Tax data replacement was tested in MP1, MP2, IT1 and IT2 qualitative testing. The taxation data replacement initiative was subsequently suspended due to budget cuts and the existence of alternative sources of data. Data can be obtained through Statistics Canada's Agricultural Taxation Data Program (3447) and Farm Financial Survey (3450). |
|
| Tax data replacement will meet data needs | 11 | ||
| Do not combine expense items together | 8 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Replacing the detailed operating expenses with tax data was very well received by respondents during qualitative testing. | |
| Ask for the market value of farm assets, amount of debt and sources, participation in government programs, non-farm revenue sources | 1 | Data can be obtained from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). | |
| Add a question about organic operations’ expenses | 1 | This topic is too detailed for the Census of Agriculture. | |
| Parts of the finance step can be removed | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 2 | ||
| Operating Expenses - Crops | Tax data replacement and combining expense categories will meet data needs | 2 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Replacing the detailed operating expenses with tax data was very well received by respondents during testing. Tax data replacement was tested in MP1, MP2, IT1 and the IT2 qualitative testing with farmers. The taxation data replacement initiative was subsequently suspended due to budget cuts and the existence of alternative sources of data. Data can be obtained through Statistics Canada's Agricultural Taxation Data Program (3447) and Farm Financial Survey (3450). |
| Do not combine crop expenses together | 3 | ||
| Do not combine livestock expenses together | 1 | ||
| Do not combine expense items together | 2 | ||
| Operating Expenses - Custom/Machinery | Tax data replacement and combining expense categories will meet data needs | 1 | |
| Do not combine expense items together | 3 | ||
| Do not combine expense items together and expand section | 2 | ||
| Operating Expenses – Livestock | Tax data replacement will meet data needs | 1 | |
| Do not combine crop or livestock expenses together | 1 | ||
| Do not combine crop expenses together | 1 | ||
| Do not combine livestock expenses together | 3 | ||
| Do not combine expense items together | 2 | ||
| Operating expenses - wages | Do not combine wage expenses together and expand questions | 1 | |
| Do not combine wage expenses together | 5 | ||
| General support to retain the topic on the Census | 1 | ||
| 4C- Steps and questions proposed for removal on the discussion questionnaire: | |||
| 1.20-Baled Crop Residue (Step 16) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 19 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 4 | ||
| Expand question to ask acreage by crop type and use (such as bedding or off-farm sales) | 1 | The section on baled crop residue was not expanded due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden. |
|
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 11 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.21-Computer and Internet Access and Use (Step 34) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 3 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Computer/Internet access is no longer seen as a marker of innovation and administrative data are available through the Survey of Household Spending (SHS, 3508). The computer use and Internet use step was removed from the IT1 and IT2 test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 11 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 8 | Some suggestions for other types of technology were included in qualitative testing (see Technology in the table on new topics). Changes to topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
|
| 1.22-Inputs (Step 17) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 22 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 16 | ||
| Ask for breakout of inputs by weight instead of by area | 1 | The topic of quantifying inputs was tested for 2011 and it was not well received by respondents as it was time consuming to search through their records to find the amount purchased and then estimate the amount applied. The increased response burden would be unacceptable. Asking for the area of application has a lower response burden for operators. Clarification whether treated seed is to be included was tested in MP1, MP2, IT1, IT2 and May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
|
| Clarify whether seed treatments are to be counted and add estimated quantity of input used | 1 | ||
| Ask for breakout of fertilizer by volume and type | 2 | ||
| Expand input question to include formulations and rates | 2 | This topic is too detailed for the Census of Agriculture. Asking for the area of application has a lower response burden for operators than these suggestions. The area of application has been asked in 2011 and previous censuses. These additional questions could be part of post-census surveys such as Statistics Canada's Farm Environmental Management Survey (5044). It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. |
|
| Ask for type, rate, timing and placement of fertilizer | 1 | ||
| Ask for intensity of input application instead of area of application | 1 | ||
| Expand the section to use, type, amount, timing and method of application | 1 | ||
| Add application rate to the inputs section | 1 | ||
| Combine herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, commercial fertilizer and lime inputs with the irrigation and manure | 1 | These concepts are too distinct to combine into one topic. | |
| Add question about the disposal of dangerous materials | 1 | This topic is too detailed for the Census of Agriculture. The proposed questions were mostly open-ended and could not be answered by either "Yes", "No", or a quantitative response. The response would be subjective, difficult to validate and would not produce reliable and robust statistics. |
|
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 7 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.23-Irrigation (Step 18) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 26 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 9 | ||
| The breakout by crop is not necessary. Only use total area irrigated data | 3 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Depending on the results of the research, some were included in qualitative testing. Suggestions that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. | |
| Expand irrigation question to include a breakout for different fruit and vegetable crops and whether those crops are intended for processing or retail markets | 1 | This section was not expanded due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. This breakout is too specific for the Census of Agriculture. These additional questions could be part of post-census surveys such as Statistics Canada's Agricultural Water Use (5145). It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms that are more likely to use irrigation rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. |
|
| Ask for details on irrigation method | 4 | These questions are too specific for the Census of Agriculture. | |
| Ask for source of household and agricultural water sources | 2 | Questions about irrigation method, source and volume are included in Statistics Canada's Agricultural Water Survey (5145). | |
| Ask for volume of water used for irrigation annually | 1 | ||
| Ask for volume of water used for irrigation annually and breakdown by end use | 1 | ||
| Combine irrigation with manure section and herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, commercial fertilizer and lime inputs section | 1 | These concepts are too distinct to combine into one topic. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.24-Land Management Practices
(Practices and Land Features) (Step 14) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 27 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 9 | ||
| Add acreage to land management practices (instead of only indicating applicable practices and land features of the operation) | 2 | Asking for quantitative data was tested for 2011 and was not well received by respondents as it was difficult to report and the relevance was questioned. The increase in response burden would be significant. These additional questions could be part of post-census surveys such as Statistics Canada's Farm Environmental Management Survey (5044). It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. |
|
| Add quantitative data to land management practices | 2 | ||
| Expand the question to include acreage, percent change in the past 5 years and reason for adoption | 1 | ||
| Expand question to include erosion control structures | 1 | To reduce response burden and to reduce the amount of space taken up on the questionnaire, a shortened version of the topic was tested. To be included in qualitative testing with farmers, the concepts had to be universally understood, consistently defined and the question had to be answerable by a "Yes", or "No" response. These topics are too detailed for the Census of Agriculture. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden. Some detailed land management questions are asked in the Farm Environmental Management Survey (FEMS, 5044). |
|
| Expand the question to include grading | 1 | ||
| Add breakout for owned and rented land for land management practices | 1 | ||
| Add organic question to all land management practices | 1 | ||
| Add solar power and wind power to land management practices question | 1 | ||
| Expand question to ask for surface water management (such as land drainage, wetland drainage, damming, dugout creation, water course manipulation, waste water disposal, etc.) | 1 | ||
| Add question about crop rotation sequence | 1 | ||
| Add questions about crop rotation sequences and frequency | 1 | ||
| Remove crop rotation from land management practices | 1 | Crop rotation was removed from the land management step for all of the qualitative tests. Additional questions on crop rotation could be part of post-census surveys such as Statistics Canada's Farm Environmental Management Survey (5044). It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms which are more likely to rotate their crop rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.25-Manure (Step 19) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 22 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 13 | ||
| Expand question to include volume or weight of manure applied | 2 | The quantity of manure applied was tested for 2011 and it was not well received by respondents because it was difficult to calculate. Asking only for the area of application has a much lower response reporting burden. These additional questions could be part of post-census surveys such as Statistics Canada's Farm Environmental Management Survey (5044). It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of farms rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. |
|
| Expand question to include the quantity of manure produced and used | 1 | ||
| Expand question to include volume and source of manure | 1 | ||
| Expand question to ask for application rates, types, timing and application method | 1 | ||
| Ask for details on manure treatment and usage | 1 | These topics are too specific for the census and an attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable since data suppressions would likely be required for confidentiality protection. | |
| Ask for method of manure recovery | 1 | ||
| Ask for volume of digested manure | 1 | ||
| Combine with land practices section | 1 | ||
| Only ask for area of land for each method of application | 2 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Depending on the results of the research, some were included in qualitative testing. Suggestions that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the National Census Test. The area of land by method of application and manure form was included in all of the qualitative tests. |
|
| Only ask for form (liquid/solid) and method of application used | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 7 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.26-Operating Arrangement (Step 4) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 12 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 5 | ||
| Expand question to ask for percent ownership by family members within corporations and partnerships | 1 | This section was not expanded due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. These questions have to be answerable by a "Yes", or "No" response in order to minimize response burden. Also, these data are available from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). | |
| Ask for percent ownership by family | 1 | ||
| Expand question to include cooperatives | 1 | An attempt to collect further detail for infrequently reported operating arrangements would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable as data suppression would likely be required for confidentiality protection. Data on cooperatives are available from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). |
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| Ask for the corporation name instead of the operating arrangement | 1 | The corporation name was asked for in the first Step of the questionnaire for all qualitative tests. The operating arrangement was asked in the IT1 and the IT2 testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 7 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. Data are required by Statistics Canada for maintaining an accurate and complete database of all farms in Canada. | |
| 1.27-Operators (Step 3) |
Ask for the length of time that the operator has been operating a farm | 1 | Data for operator characteristics were not incorporated into the questionnaire as they will be available on a cost‑recovery basis from the Agriculture-National Household Survey linkage. Some of the data is also available from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). |
| Ask for the amount of experience that the operator has in farm management | 1 | ||
| Add question about the background and years of experience of the farm manager | 1 | ||
| Ask for the relationship between multiple operators within the same operation | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Operators - Live on Farm | Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 1 | This topic was reviewed and researched; however there was not a broad demand for the data. This topic was not included in qualitative testing. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 3 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | ||
| Operators - Work on the Farm and Other Work | Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 27 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in all qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 2 | ||
| Condense the 20-29 hours and 30-40 hours categories to 20-40 hours | 1 | There was high user demand to keep the current hourly categories. The current hourly categories in the census also match the categories in Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey (3701). | |
| Condense the hourly categories to just full-time and part-time | 1 | ||
| Add question about percent ownership for each operator that works on the farm | 1 | Data on the percent ownership by family members are available from Statistics Canada's Farm Financial Survey (3450). | |
| Add a breakout to the 'other work' question by commodity group | 1 | Data for "other work by commodity group" and "type of work" were not incorporated into the questionnaire as they are available on a cost recovery basis from the Agriculture-National Household Survey linkage. | |
| Expand 'other work' question to ask for type of work and significance to the overall farm operation | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 3 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.28-Organic (Step 35) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 44 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 12 | ||
| Add a question for the acreage under organic management | 15 | Asking for area in this question is burdensome for respondents as the units differ between crops (for example, greenhouse produce are reported in square meters or square feet while field crops are reported in acres, hectares or arpents). Some quantitative data is available from the certifying bodies. | |
| Add a question about the acreage of specific crops under organic management | 1 | This topic is too detailed for the census and data for uncommon crops grown under organic management would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable since data on low occurrence of different organic practices would likely be suppressed for confidentiality protection. | |
| Add organic questions to all sections involving commodities or land practices | 1 | An organic category was not added to each commodity section due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. | |
| Condense questions or combine with questions about management practices | 1 | The land management section must be answered by either a "Yes", or "No" response and the organic section requires the certifying body for validation. | |
| Keep the question about which organic products are produced, but remove the certifying body question | 2 | The certifying body is required to validate that produce is certified organic. | |
| Add aquaculture products to organic question | 1 | Aquaculture is not in scope for the Census of Agriculture. It was also not included in this section due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. | |
| Add breakout in organic step for certified sustainable | 1 | This topic is too detailed for the census. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increased response burden. | |
| Add a question about the availability and accessibility of funding to support research relevant to organic agriculture | 1 | These suggestions are too specific for the Census of Agriculture. An attempt to collect the proposed questions would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable as data suppressions would likely be required for confidentiality protection. Other suggested questions could not be answered by either "Yes", "No", or a quantitative response. A post-Census organic survey might be a better way to collect data for these questions. It would be less burdensome to target a randomly selected sample of organic farms rather than enumerating all Canadian farms. |
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| Expand the organic question to include growing zone, processing region, and transportation distances for processing and sale | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 1 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.29-Labour - Paid (Step 33) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 27 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 7 | ||
| Reduce question to only ask for number of employees, and whether they work year-round or seasonal on a full or part-time basis | 1 | All suggestions were reviewed and researched. Depending on the results of the research, some were included in qualitative testing. Suggestions that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. | |
| Reduce question to only ask for number of employees and whether they work year-round or seasonal | 1 | ||
| Add a question about foreign agricultural workers | 3 | Suggestions for Foreign Agricultural Workers (FAW) questions were too detailed for the census. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden for data that would not be publishable as data suppression would be required for confidentiality protection. Also, programs like the FAW change fairly quickly. The CEAG data collected every 5 years would become outdated by the time the results would be released a year after the CEAG reference date. | |
| Add temporary foreign workers to labour step | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 4 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.30-Poultry - Chicken or Turkey Production (Step 25) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 19 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 7 | ||
| Change question to ask about the capacity of empty barns in case barns are empty on Census Day | 1 | Adding an additional column for capacity was considered; however, it was not tested due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response reporting burden. | |
| Add organic category to poultry production question | 1 | Adding an organic category to this topic is too detailed for Census of Agriculture and would require a similar question for the other commodities. An organic category was not added to each commodity section since it would take up too much space on the questionnaire. In addition, this suggestion would have increased response burden. |
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| Ask for Premises Identification Number | 1 | Not all operations have a Premise Identification Number and some are not comfortable sharing this information on the Census of Agriculture. Administrative data are collected through traceability programs. | |
| Administrative data are available for registered production | 2 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Data not used because of infrequent collection | 1 | ||
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 4 | ||
| 1.31-Poultry - Egg Production (Step 26) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 20 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 7 | ||
| Add a breakout for the types of hatching eggs sold | 2 | This topic is too detailed or uncommon for the Census of Agriculture. An attempt to collect further detail would result in increasing burden. | |
| Change question to ask about the capacity of empty barns in case barns are empty on Census Day | 1 | Adding an additional column for capacity was considered; however, it was not tested due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response reporting burden. | |
| Add organic category to egg production question | 1 | Adding an organic category to this topic is too detailed for the Census of Agriculture and would require a similar question for the other commodities. An organic category was not added to each commodity section due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. | |
| Add a question to ask if the operation has quota | 1 | Questions about quota were not tested because administrative data are available. | |
| Ask for Premises Identification Number | 1 | Not all operations have a Premise Identification Number and some are not comfortable sharing this information on the Census of Agriculture. Administrative data are collected through traceability programs. | |
| Administrative data are available for registered production | 3 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | ||
| 1.32-Summerfallow (Step 13) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 23 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 8 | ||
| Add organic question | 1 | Adding an organic question to this topic is too detailed for the Census of Agriculture and would require similar questions to be asked for all land management practices. Additional questions were not added to all of the land management sections due to space limitations on the questionnaire. Also, this suggestion would have increased response burden. |
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| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 7 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| 1.33-Tillage and Seeding Practices (Step 15) |
Data are used and address the needs and priorities of data users; retain the topic | 36 | Data uses were acknowledged and the topic was included in qualitative testing. Topics that tested well at this stage moved on to quantitative testing in May 2014 in the national Census of Agriculture Test. |
| General support to retain the topic on the Census of Agriculture | 8 | ||
| Incorporate tillage into crop acreage questions to get information on total acreage of each crop that is tilled and type of tillage used | 1 | Additional columns were not added to the commodity sections due to space limitations on the questionnaire. An attempt to collect further detail for each crop would result in increasing burden. |
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| Topic is not relevant to data user so the data are rarely or never used | 5 | Industry support for retaining this topic on the Census of Agriculture was demonstrated. | |
| The qualitative tests were: MP1 = Modular Phase 1 test; MP2 = Modular Phase 2 test; IT1 = Integrated Test for the paper questionnaire; IT2 = Integrated Test for the electronic questionnaire. |
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