About Agriculture–National Household Survey linkage

An important benefit of conducting the Census of Agriculture at the same time as the Census of Population and the National Household Survey is that information from these sources can be linked by means of an automated matching process to create the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database. This database contains all Census of Agriculture variables and most of the variables (such as income, education, occupation, etc.) included on the National Household Survey questionnaire. The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database permits the cross-tabulation of socio-economic characteristics of farm operators and their families (for example, the age, education and income of operators).with the agricultural characteristics of farm operations (for example, farm area, number of animals, farm practices, and so on).

The 2011 Agriculture-National Household Survey linkage database follows the Agriculture–Population linkage databases initially created for the 1971 censuses, and also available for the 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 censuses. The 2011 database targets farm operators and their families who were identified on the 2011 Census of Agriculture except those residing in Canada's three territories or in collective dwellings

Because the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database is an amalgamation of information from two data sources, users are encouraged to refer to the reference material from the National Household Survey and the Census of Agriculture for further information on the data collection, processing and dissemination methods used.

New for 2011

The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database is an amalgamation of information from two data sources.  Until 2006, the population information came from the Census of Population's long form which was a mandatory questionnaire distributed to 20% of the Canadian households. In 2011, this data source comes from the voluntary National Household Survey which was distributed to approximately 33% of the Canadian households.

The population covered by the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database and the estimates derived from it also changed in 2011 in two ways. First, the definition of the farming population changed. In the years prior to 2011, only operators and their families who resided on the farm at any time in the previous twelve months were included in the farming population. In 2011, the on-farm restriction was removed. Operators and their families not residing on a farm are also included. Second, residents of collective dwellings were not eligible to receive the National Household Survey and thus are not represented in the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database.

Users should be aware of these changes when doing comparisons of results between the 2011 Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database and previous Agriculture-Population Linkage databases.

Sources of Error

In a sample survey like the National Household Survey there can be two types of errors – sampling errors and non-sampling errors. In a census like the Census of Agriculture only non-sampling errors exist.

Sampling error arises from estimating a population characteristic by measuring only a portion of the population rather than the entire population. The error can be controlled by the sample size, sample design and the method of estimation.

Non-sampling errors are errors that are unrelated to sampling. They can include errors in the frame from which the sample is drawn, inadequate collection tools, survey non-response and errors in data capture, editing, coding and other processing steps. During the planning stages, steps were implemented to reduce non-sampling error through questionnaire testing, interviewer training, quality control of data capture and coding as well as many other approaches.

Response Rates

The National Household Survey was a voluntary survey as opposed to the Census of Population long form questionnaire used in previous databases for which response was mandatory. As a result there is an important difference in the response rates in 2011 compared to previous years. In 2006 the response rate to the Census of Population long form was approximately 97%. The table below presents the weighted response rates for the entire National Household Survey and the subset of the population eligible for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database population in 2011

Table 1 Weighted response rates for the National Household Survey and the population eligible for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database, Canada and provinces

Provinces	National Household Survey weighted response rate	Agriculture-National Household Survey response weighted rate
	%
Canada	77.2	71.4
Newfoundland and Labrador	72.5	78.7
Prince Edward Island	70.0	70.0
Nova Scotia	74.8	75.1
New Brunswick	74.2	74.5
Quebec	80.7	80.4
Ontario	76.3	73.8
Manitoba	76.3	63.9
Saskatchewan	73.1	65.9
Alberta	75.4	67.3
British Columbia	77.1	74.8

Note: The National Household Survey Canada response rate includes respondents from Canada's three territories while the Agriculture–National Household Survey rate does not.

There is non-response bias when a survey's non-respondents are different from its respondents. In that case, the higher a survey's non-response is, the greater the risk of non-response bias. The quality of the estimates can be affected if such a bias is present.

Automated matching process

The fundamentals of the Agriculture–National Household Survey automated matching process are simple. A farm operator completes a Census of Agriculture questionnaire as well as a Census of Population questionnaire. The operator may also be selected to complete a National Household Survey questionnaire, distributed to approximately one-third of all households. Data from the Census of Agriculture and Census of Population are linked using information which is common to both questionnaires such as name, sex, birth date and address. Using the link which already exists between the Census of Population and National Household Survey questionnaires, the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database can be formed. The 1991 to 2011 Censuses of Agriculture allowed respondents to report up to three operators per farm, and all farm operators were included in the matching process. With this additional information, the relationship between family members living in the same household and operating the same farm can be analyzed. As well, operators in different households operating the same farm can be included in the analysis.

Sampling and weighting

Because only a sample of the Canadian households was selected to receive the National Household Survey, weights were assigned to the records on the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database in order to represent the entire farming population. The weights were calculated independently within each province. An initial weight was generated for most records¹ based on the number of households in the province and the number that responded to the National Household Survey. Then characteristics referred to as "constraints" were identified. These were agricultural and population characteristics of primary importance to data users which were fully enumerated on either the Census of Population or Census of Agriculture. For each province, a method known as ridge regression ensured that in most provinces the Agriculture–National Household Survey database estimates of most of these constraints would be very close to the known population counts. The number of constraints varied from 38 to 50 depending upon the province. At the national level, all of the constraints had discrepancies between sample estimates and population counts of less than 1.0% and 92% of the constraints had discrepancies less than 0.5%. Similar values were observed at the provincial level with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to the small number of Ag-NHS records in this province, it was not possible to respect the constraints to the same degree as in the other provinces.

The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database contains agricultural data (farm operations and farm operators) and population data (person, household, census family and economic family). Weights have been calculated at the person level, household level, census family level and economic family level.

For any given geographic area, the weighted population, household, family or farm totals or subtotals may differ from similar estimates presented in previous Census of Agriculture data releases. This is because the Census of Agriculture collected data from all farming operations whereas the estimates from the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database came from a sample. The discrepancies for variables used to define the constraints in the ridge regression weight calculations were described above. The discrepancies for any variables highly correlated with at least one of the variables used to define a constraint will be similar to the discrepancy of that constraint. For other variables, discrepancies will depend on the relationship with the variable used to define a constraint, and could be large if no relationship exists.

Data suppression

Results from the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database may be suppressed for two reasons (1) to protect confidentiality of individual respondent data and (2), to limit the dissemination of data of poor quality (which will subsequently be referred to as data quality). The approaches used are similar to those used in previous Agriculture–Population linkage databases but two additional rules (one for confidentiality and one for data quality) have been added.

Confidentiality is controlled through two rules. Random rounding transforms all estimates of counts to random rounded counts at a base 5 level. Employing this technique, all figures in each table, including totals, are randomly rounded either up or down to a multiple of 5. While providing protection against disclosure, this procedure does not add significant error to the data. The random rounding algorithm uses a random seed value to initiate the rounding pattern for tables. In these routines, the method used to seed the pattern can result in the same count in the same table being rounded up in one execution and rounded down in the next.

There are some variables such as those related to income, which can have highly variable responses and which have a higher risk of revealing information about an individual respondent when certain statistics such as averages are calculated. For this reason only medians are produced for these variables, not averages.

Data quality is controlled through the use of the global non-response rate which is an indicator of data quality which combines complete non-response and partial non-response to the survey. A smaller global non-response rate indicates a lower risk of non-response bias, i.e., a lower risk of lack of accuracy. Geographic areas with a global non-response rate higher than or equal to 50% are suppressed. This is the same threshold that is used for the publication of National Household Survey data. In the case of the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database all provinces have a global non-response rate below the 50% threshold.

Table 2 Global non-response rates for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database, Canada and provinces

Provinces	Global non-response rate (%)
Canada	36.9
Newfoundland and Labrador	35.7
Prince Edward Island	38.1
Nova Scotia	33.9
New Brunswick	34.4
Quebec	28.0
Ontario	35.1
Manitoba	42.8
Saskatchewan	41.3
Alberta	41.1
British Columbia	36.6

Graphic design: Ryan Thompson, R.G.D.

Ryan Thompson, R.G.D., lead graphic designer for Ottawa-based Character Creative, provided art direction and spearheaded creative development of the cover illustration for the 2006 edition of Canadian Agriculture at a Glance. A graduate of Sheridan College, Ryan is accredited by the Association of Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. Character Creative's clients have included the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, Van Houtte Coffee, MDS Nordion, Arts Court and the Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Association.

Illustration: Graham Ross

A graduate of the illustration program at Sheridan College in Ontario, Graham began his career as a book designer for Canadian publisher McClelland & Stewart. He returned to his hometown of Ottawa to work as a senior designer for a local firm.

It was in Ottawa that Graham began his freelance illustration and graphic design career. He has provided illustrations for such publishers as Scholastic Canada, Orca Book Publishers and Meadowside Books of the United Kingdom, as well as the Canadian government.

About Agriculture–National Household Survey linkage

An important benefit of conducting the Census of Agriculture at the same time as the Census of Population and the National Household Survey is that information from these sources can be linked by means of an automated matching process to create the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database. This database contains all Census of Agriculture variables and most of the variables (such as income, education, occupation, etc.) included on the National Household Survey questionnaire. The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database permits the cross-tabulation of socio-economic characteristics of farm operators and their families (for example, the age, education and income of operators) with the agricultural characteristics of farm operations (for example, farm area, number of animals, farm practices, and so on).

The 2011 Agriculture-National Household Survey linkage database follows the Agriculture–Population linkage databases initially created for the 1971 censuses, and also available for the 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 censuses. The 2011 database targets farm operators and their families who were identified on the 2011 Census of Agriculture, except those residing in Canada's three territories or in collective dwellings.

Because the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database is an amalgamation of information from two data sources, users are encouraged to refer to the reference material from the National Household Survey and the Census of Agriculture for further information on the data collection, processing and dissemination methods used.

New for 2011

The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database is an amalgamation of information from two data sources. Until 2006, the population information came from the Census of Population's long-form which was a mandatory questionnaire distributed to 20% of the Canadian households. In 2011, the data source was the voluntary National Household Survey which was distributed to approximately 33% of the Canadian households.

The population covered by the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database and the estimates derived from it also changed in two ways in 2011. First, the definition of the farming population changed. In the years prior to 2011, only operators and their families who resided on the farm at any time in the previous 12 months were included in the farming population. In 2011, the on-farm restriction was removed. Operators and their families not residing on a farm are also included. Second, residents of collective dwellings were not eligible to receive the National Household Survey and, thus, are not represented in the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database.

Users should be aware of these changes when doing comparisons of results between the 2011 Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database and previous Agriculture-Population Linkage databases.

Sources of Error

In a sample survey like the National Household Survey there can be two types of errors – sampling errors and non-sampling errors. In a census like the Census of Agriculture only non-sampling errors exist.

Sampling error arises from estimating a population characteristic by measuring only a portion of the population rather than the entire population. The error can be controlled by the sample size, sample design and the method of estimation.

Non-sampling errors are errors that are unrelated to sampling. They can include errors in the frame from which the sample is drawn, inadequate collection tools, survey non-response and errors in data capture, editing, coding and other processing steps. During the planning stages, steps were implemented to reduce non-sampling error through questionnaire testing, interviewer training, quality control of data capture and coding as well as many other approaches.

Response Rates

The National Household Survey was a voluntary survey, as opposed to the Census of Population long-form questionnaire used in previous databases for which response was mandatory. As a result there is an important difference in the response rates in 2011 compared to previous years. In 2006 the response rate to the Census of Population long-form was approximately 97%. The table below presents the weighted response rates for the entire National Household Survey and the subset of the population eligible for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database population in 2011.

Table 1 Weighted response rates for the National Household Survey and the population eligible for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database, Canada and provinces

Provinces	National Household Survey weighted response rate	Agriculture-National Household Survey response weighted rate
	%
Canada	77.2	71.4
Newfoundland and Labrador	72.5	78.7
Prince Edward Island	70.0	70.0
Nova Scotia	74.8	75.1
New Brunswick	74.2	74.5
Quebec	80.7	80.4
Ontario	76.3	73.8
Manitoba	76.3	63.9
Saskatchewan	73.1	65.9
Alberta	75.4	67.3
British Columbia	77.1	74.8

Note: The National Household Survey Canada response rate includes respondents from Canada's three territories, while the Agriculture–National Household Survey rate does not.

There is non-response bias when a survey's non-respondents are different from its respondents. In that case, the higher a survey's non-response is, the greater the risk of non-response bias. The quality of the estimates can be affected if such a bias is present.

Automated matching process

The fundamentals of the Agriculture–National Household Survey automated matching process are simple. A farm operator completes a Census of Agriculture questionnaire as well as a Census of Population questionnaire. The operator may also be selected to complete a National Household Survey questionnaire, distributed to approximately one-third of all households. Data from the Census of Agriculture and Census of Population are linked using information which is common to both questionnaires such as name, sex, birth date and address. Using the link which already exists between the Census of Population and National Household Survey questionnaires, the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database can be formed. The 1991 to 2011 Censuses of Agriculture allowed respondents to report up to three operators per farm, and all farm operators were included in the matching process. With this additional information, the relationship between family members living in the same household and operating the same farm can be analyzed. As well, operators in different households operating the same farm can be included in the analysis.

Sampling and weighting

Because only a sample of the Canadian households was selected to receive the National Household Survey, weights were assigned to the records on the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database in order to represent the entire farming population. The weights were calculated independently within each province. An initial weight was generated for most records¹ based on the number of households in the province and the number that responded to the National Household Survey. Then characteristics referred to as "constraints" were identified. These were agricultural and population characteristics of primary importance to data users which were fully enumerated on either the Census of Population or Census of Agriculture. For each province, a method known as ridge regression ensured that in most provinces the Agriculture–National Household Survey database estimates of most of these constraints would be very close to the known population counts. The number of constraints varied from 38 to 50 depending upon the province. At the national level, all of the constraints had discrepancies between sample estimates and population counts of less than 1.0% and 92% of the constraints had discrepancies less than 0.5%. Similar values were observed at the provincial level with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to the small number of Ag-NHS records in this province, it was not possible to respect the constraints to the same degree as in the other provinces.

The Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database contains agricultural data (farm operations and farm operators) and population data (person, household, census family and economic family). Weights have been calculated at the person level, household level, census family level and economic family level.

For any given geographic area, the weighted population, household, family or farm totals or subtotals may differ from similar estimates presented in previous Census of Agriculture data releases. This is because the Census of Agriculture collected data from all farming operations whereas the estimates from the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database came from a sample. The discrepancies for variables used to define the constraints in the ridge regression weight calculations were described above. The discrepancies for any variables highly correlated with at least one of the variables used to define a constraint will be similar to the discrepancy of that constraint. For other variables, discrepancies will depend on the relationship with the variable used to define a constraint, and could be large if no relationship exists.

Data suppression

Results from the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database may be suppressed for two reasons (1) to protect confidentiality of individual respondent data and (2), to limit the dissemination of data of poor quality (which will subsequently be referred to as data quality). The approaches used are similar to those used in previous Agriculture–Population linkage databases but two additional rules (one for confidentiality and one for data quality) have been added.

Confidentiality is controlled through two rules. Random rounding transforms all estimates of counts to random rounded counts at a base 5 level. Employing this technique, all figures in each table, including totals, are randomly rounded either up or down to a multiple of 5. While providing protection against disclosure, this procedure does not add significant error to the data. The random rounding algorithm uses a random seed value to initiate the rounding pattern for tables. In these routines, the method used to seed the pattern can result in the same count in the same table being rounded up in one execution and rounded down in the next.

There are some variables such as those related to income, which can have highly variable responses and which have a higher risk of revealing information about an individual respondent when certain statistics such as averages are calculated. For this reason only medians are produced for these variables, not averages.

Data quality is controlled through the use of the global non-response rate which is an indicator of data quality which combines complete non-response and partial non-response to the survey. A smaller global non-response rate indicates a lower risk of non-response bias, i.e., a lower risk of lack of accuracy. Geographic areas with a global non-response rate higher than or equal to 50% are suppressed. This is the same threshold that is used for the publication of National Household Survey data. In the case of the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database all provinces have a global non-response rate below the 50% threshold.

Table 2 Global non-response rates for the Agriculture–National Household Survey Linkage database, Canada and provinces

Provinces	Global non-response rate (%)
Canada	36.9
Newfoundland and Labrador	35.7
Prince Edward Island	38.1
Nova Scotia	33.9
New Brunswick	34.4
Quebec	28.0
Ontario	35.1
Manitoba	42.8
Saskatchewan	41.3
Alberta	41.1
British Columbia	36.6

Note:

1. A small number of records on the Agriculture–Population linkage databases were automatically assigned a weight of one and were not weighted as described here. These are households associated with operations with special characteristics.

• Agricultural operation
• Agricultural operator
• Agricultural products
• Buffer zones around water bodies
• Chemfallow
• Cold frames
• Composted manure
• Composting
• Conversion factors
• Corn for silage
• Corporation
• Crop residues
• Crop rotation
• Crop share
• Custom work
• Established alfalfa or hay
• Farm operating expenses
• Farm population
• Field crops
• Fodder crops
• Forage seed
• Fungicide
• Green manure crops
• Herbicide
• In-field winter grazing or feeding
• Insecticide
• Net farm income
• Net non-farm self-employment income
• Non-farm population
• Natural land for pasture
• Non-workable land
• Nutrient management planning
• Occupation
• Organic products
• Pesticide
• Rotational grazing
• Rural farm population
• Silage
• Sources of income
• Summerfallow
• Summerfallow land
• Tame or seeded pasture
• Wetlands
• Windbreaks or shelterbelts
• Winter cover crop
• Woodlands
• Workable land

Agricultural operation

A farm, ranch or other agricultural operation producing agricultural products for sale. Also includes: feedlots, greenhouses, mushroom houses and nurseries; farms producing Christmas trees, fur, game, sod, maple syrup or fruit and berries; beekeeping and poultry hatchery operations; operations with alternative livestock (bison, deer, elk, llamas, alpacas, wild boars, etc.) or alternative poultry (ostriches, emus, etc.), when the animal or derived products are intended for sale; backyard gardens if agricultural products are intended for sale; operations involved in boarding horses, riding stables and stables for housing and/or training horses even if no agriculture products are sold. Sales in the past 12 months not required but there must be the intention to sell.

NOTE: For the Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories only, the definition also includes operations involved in the following:

• herding wild animals (such as caribou and muskox)
• breeding sled dogs
• horse outfitting and rigging
• harvesting indigenous plants and berries.

Agricultural operator

Those persons responsible for the management decisions in operating an agricultural operation. Can be owners, tenants or hired managers of the agricultural operation, including those responsible for management decisions pertinent to particular aspects of the farm – planting, harvesting, raising animals, marketing and sales, and making capital purchases and other financial decisions. Not included are accountants, lawyers, veterinarians, crop advisors, herbicide consultants, etc. who make recommendations affecting the agricultural operation but are not ultimately responsible for management decisions.

The terms agricultural operator and operation are used in the census because they are broader in scope than farmer and farm, and better reflect the range of agricultural business from which the Census of Agriculture collects data. For example, the term farm would not usually be associated with operations such as maple sugar bushes, mushroom houses, ranches, or feedlots.

Agricultural products

Include any of the following products intended for sale:

• crops (hay, field crops, tree fruits or nuts, berries or grapes, vegetables, seed)
• livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, bison, deer, elk, llamas, alpacas, wild boars, goats, rabbits, etc.)
• poultry (hens, chickens, turkeys, chicks, ducks, geese, game birds, ostriches, emus, etc.), including eggs for supplying hatcheries
• animal products (milk or cream, eggs, wool, furs, meat, etc.)
• other agricultural products (Christmas trees, greenhouse or nursery products, mushrooms, sod, honey, bees, maple syrup products, etc.).

NOTE: For the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories agricultural products also include wild animals (that have been herded, such as caribou and muskox); sled dogs kept for breeding; horses kept for outfitting and rigging; indigenous plants and berries harvested from the wild.

Buffer zones around water bodies

Areas along natural watercourses left with natural vegetation (unfarmed) and designed to prevent erosion, especially in stream channels that become wider and shallower; preserve wildlife habitat and fish stocks; protect water quality for livestock and people. Also referred to as riparian areas, i.e., land bordering a stream or body of water.

Chemfallow

A type of summerfallow; the practice of leaving cultivated land free of vegetation for one growing season and using only herbicides to control weeds.

Cold frames

A simple frame (either plastic or glass) used to protect seedlings/plants from frost; a passive solar heating system (that is, it has no source of heat except sunlight) used to generate plant growth and harden off plants for transplanting in the field.

Composted manure

Animal dung or urine, often mixed with straw or other organic matter, that has decomposed into a stable humus.

Composting

A process that decomposes organic matter (manure and/or plant matter) into a stable humus used as a natural fertilizer or soil amendment.

Conversion factors

For the Census of Agriculture, they are the following:

• 1 acre = 0.404 685 59 hectare
• 1 hectare = 2.471 054 13 acres
• 1 arpent = 0.845 acre (for respondents in Quebec who reported land areas in arpents)
• 1 square foot = 0.092 903 04 square metre
• 1 square metre = 10.763 91 square feet
• 1 kilogram = 2.204 622 48 pounds
• 1 pound = 0.453 592 39 kilogram

Corn for silage

Corn in which the entire plant, including the cob, is chopped up and stored in upright silos, bunker silos or plastic bags, and used for animal feed.

Corporation

An incorporated business registered with a provincial or federal agency as a legal entity separate from the owner. Family corporation: an incorporated business operation where an individual or members of a family owns the majority of the corporation shares. Non-family corporation: an incorporated business operation where a group of unrelated individuals owns the majority of the corporation shares.

Crop residues

Materials left in a field after the crop has been harvested. They may be baled and removed or be burned, left to decompose or plowed into the soil. These residues include straw from small grains and oilseeds, and corn stalks.

Crop rotation

Changing the type of crop grown on the same land from year to year or periodically to control weeds, insects, disease, and replenish soil nutrients or reduce erosion.

Crop share

An agreement between the land owner and the person operating the land (the share cropper), in which the crop is shared rather than cash rent being paid. Cropping expenses may or may not be shared. The person who does not own the land but operates it should report any areas being crop-shared.

Custom work

Work done somewhere other than on the agricultural operator's operation using his/her equipment in return for money or other payment. Includes custom plowing or combining, trucking, drying grain, cleaning seed, spreading fertilizer, spraying crops, cleaning feedlots, etc.

Established alfalfa or hay

Alfalfa or hay that has grown in the same field for more than one season, i.e. has overwintered at least once.

Farm operating expenses

Any cost associated with producing crops or livestock, except the purchase of land, buildings or equipment. Includes the cost of seed, feed, fuel, fertilizers, etc. Does not include depreciation or capital cost allowance.

Farm population

The definition of the farm population has not remained constant over the years. Changes in this definition since 1931 are summarized below. These changes do affect the comparability of the data among censuses.

In 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006, the farm population included all persons living in rural or urban areas who were members of the households of farm operators who had lived on their farms for any length of time during the 12-month period prior to the census. In 2011 this definition was amended to include farm operators who had not at any point during the year prior to the Census lived on their farm.

Prior to 1991, only one farm operator was reported per farm. Since 1991, up to three farm operators could be reported per farm. Because of this change, farm population counts since 1991 included all members of the households of second and third operators who had lived on their farms for any length of time during the 12 months prior to the census. It should be noted, however, that most second and third operators of farms (usually a spouse or a child) resided in the same household as the first operator and would most likely have been included in the farm population under the previous method of reporting.

In 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971 and 1976, the farm population included all persons, regardless of their occupation, living in dwellings situated on farms located in rural or urban areas.

In 1931 and 1941, the farm population included all persons living on farms located in rural or urban areas. The respondent was required to report the total number of persons living on the farm.

Field crops

Includes hay, alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures; wheat (spring, durum, winter); oats; barley; mixed grains; corn (grain and silage); rye (fall and spring); canola; soybeans; flaxseed; dry field peas; chick peas; lentils; beans (dry white and other beans); forage seed; potatoes; mustard seed; sunflowers; canary seed; ginseng; buckwheat; sugar beets; caraway seed; triticale; and other field crops such as tobacco, hemp, spelt, coriander and other spices, etc.

Fodder crops

Includes alfalfa, barley, clover, corn and sorghum and any other crops in which the whole plant is used to feed cattle, sheep and other ruminants.

Forage seed

Seed from fodder crops grown commercially for seed. Includes timothy, fescue, clover, alfalfa, wheat grass, and turf grass seed.

Fungicide

A chemical used to control, suppress or kill fungi that severely interrupt normal plant growth.

Green manure crops

Young green plants, such as buckwheat and red clover, incorporated into the soil to improve fertility. Usually grown only to improve the soil. Plowing down green crops: when a crop such as winter wheat, fall rye, buckwheat or red clover is planted but "plowed under" before it can be harvested.

Herbicide

A chemical used to control, suppress, or kill plants or severely interrupt their normal growth.

In-field winter grazing or feeding

The practice of keeping grazing livestock in the field (cropland or pastureland) over winter, where they are fed hay or graze on crop residues instead of being confined in paddocks closer to the barns. Cattle, sheep or other grazing livestock are normally moved over the winter to different feeding locations so that their manure can be distributed more widely and the nutrients, especially nitrogen, used to greater advantage for pasture or other crops in the subsequent year. Also referred to as swath grazing and bale grazing.

Insecticide

A substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel or minimize the effect of any insects that may be present.

Natural land for pasture

Areas used for pasture that have not been cultivated and seeded, or drained, irrigated or fertilized. Includes native pasture/hay (indigenous grass suitable as feed for livestock and game); rangeland (land with natural plant cover, principally native grasses or shrubs valuable for forage); grazeable bush (forest land and bushy areas used for grazing, not land cultivated for crops or with dense forest), etc.

Net farm income

Net income earned by working for oneself (self-employment) as an owner/operator of his/her farm.

Net farm income refers to the profit or loss of the farm operation measured by total farm operating revenues minus total farm operating expenses and capital cost allowance reported on the tax return for the farm. Operating revenues include revenues from the sale of agricultural products and services such as cash advances, rebates, agricultural custom work and machine rental, plus payments from federal, provincial and regional agricultural programs, and insurance proceeds (e.g. income stabilization or crop insurance payments). Operating expenses include business costs in the production of agricultural products plus wages and salaries paid to children and spouses for unincorporated farms. For incorporated farms, operating expenses may include wages and salaries or rent paid to share holders.

Net non-farm self-employment income

Net income earned by working for oneself (self-employment) as an owner/operator of his/her non-farm business.

Refers to net income (gross receipts minus expenses of operation such as wages, rents and depreciation) received during calendar prior to the census from the respondent's non-farm unincorporated business or professional practice. In the case of partnerships, only the respondent's share was reported. Also included is net income from persons babysitting in their own homes, persons providing room and board to non-relatives, self-employed fishers, hunters and trappers, operators of direct distributorships such as those selling and delivering cosmetics, as well as freelance activities of artists, writers, music teachers, hairdressers, dressmakers, etc.

Non-farm population

Refers to all persons not included in the farm population.

Non-workable land

Includes natural pastureland, woodland, wetlands, ponds, bogs, sloughs, etc., barnyards, lanes, etc., and land on which farm buildings are located.

Nutrient management planning

Involves a detailed plan for applying nutrients to a given land base in order to optimize their uptake by crops in the field and minimize the environmental impact and cost. A nutrient is an element or compound in a soil that is essential for a plant's growth. Nutrients applied to a field can include both manure and commercial fertilizer. Soil testing determines the nutrient requirements on land; manure testing determines the level of nutrients in the manure.

Occupation

Refers to the kind of work a farm operator reports as the main activity of their job in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to enumeration on Census day. The questionnaire provides the following instruction: "If this person held more than one job last week, answer for the job at which he/she worked the most hours." As such, farm operators can only report one occupation, even if they have another job in addition to farming. Therefore, not all operators will report farming as their occupation. Also if operators report being "retired" from non-farming occupations but are still operating a farm an occupation is imputed.

All occupations for farm operators are grouped into three occupational groups: "farmer or farm manager"; "other agricultural occupations" such as farm worker, supervisor, greenhouse worker, etc.; and "non-agricultural occupations" such as truck driver, clerk, public servant, etc.

The 2011 Census occupation data are classified according to the National Occupational Classification for Statistics 2011 (NOC-S 2011).

Organic products

Products from farm operations operated according to a set of organic production principles. Certified organic product: an agricultural product that meets organic standards at each production/processing stage and is certified by a recognized certifying agency. Organic certifying agency: a co-operative association or incorporated entity with the authority to give accreditation to organic agricultural operators. Organic certification is based on the Organic Agriculture Standard put out by the Canadian General Standards Board. Organic but not certified: an agricultural commodity produced and processed using organic practices but not officially certified. Operations that opt not to go through the certification process may consider themselves organic but not certified. Transitional: commonly used by certifying agencies to indicate fields in transition to becoming certified organic. It means the operator is actively adopting practices that comply with organic standards. Certification can take up to four years.

Pesticide

Any chemical used for controlling, suppressing or killing insects, weeds or fungi. Includes fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides.

Rotational grazing

A practice allowing forages to recover after each grazing period. Includes alternating two or more pastures at regular intervals or using temporary fences within pastures to prevent overgrazing.

Rural farm population

In 2011, the rural farm population refers to all persons living in rural areas who are members of the households of farm operators whether they lived on or off of their farm.

Prior to 1991, only one farm operator was reported per census farm. Since 1991, up to three farm operators could be reported per census farm. Because of this change, the rural farm population count included all persons living in rural areas on a census farm and in the households of the first, second and third operators; before 1991, the rural farm population count included all persons living in rural areas on a census farm and in the household of the first operator. It should be noted that most of the second and third operators (usually a spouse or a child) of census farms reside in the same household as the first operator and would most likely have been included in the rural farm population under the previous method of reporting.

Prior to the 1981 Census, the rural farm population was defined as all persons living in rural areas in dwellings situated on census farms.

Silage

A crop, such as corn and sorghum or other green crops with sufficient moisture, that has been preserved by partial fermentation in a silo, pit, stack, plastic bag or wrap for animal feed. Usually chopped. Often called "hay crop silage" or "haylage" when made from forage crops such as hay or alfalfa. Also referred to as ensilage and baleage.

Sources of income

In order to facilitate the tabulation of income data by source, the components of income have been grouped into these major sources of income:

• Net farm income - The definition of this term is presented above as a separate entry.
• Wages and salaries - Income earned by working for a wage, a salary, tips and/or commissions.
• Non-farm self-employment income - The definition of this term is presented above as a separate entry under "Net non-farm self-employment income".
• Investment income - This source includes investment income such as dividends, interest and other investment income.
• Zero income or negative income - Zero income or negative income occurs when the operating expenses plus capital allowance for a self-employed business are equal to (zero) or greater than (negative income) the gross receipts of the business.
• Other sources of income - This source includes: government sources such as Canada Child Tax benefits, Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement, benefits from Canada or Quebec Pension Plan, benefits from Employment Insurance and other income from government sources; other income such as retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities, and other money income.

Summerfallow

Involves keeping normally cultivated land free of vegetation throughout one growing season by cultivating (plowing, discing, etc.) and/or applying chemicals to destroy weeds, insects and soil-borne diseases and allow a buildup of soil moisture reserves for the next crop year. Includes chemfallow, tillage, and/or a combination of chemical and tillage weed control on the same land. Part of the crop rotation system in Western Canada. Rarely found in Eastern Canada.

Summerfallow land

Land on which no crops will be grown during the year but on which weeds will be controlled by cultivation or application of chemicals.

Tame or seeded pasture

Grazeable land that has been improved from its natural state by seeding, draining, irrigating, fertilizing or weed control. Does not include areas of land harvested for hay, silage or seed.

Wetlands

Non-workable areas such as ponds, bogs, marshes and sloughs.

Windbreaks or shelterbelts

Rows of natural or planted trees or hedges along field edges that stop prevailing winds from eroding the soil. Used more frequently in Western Canada where farmland is more susceptible to wind action and where trapping snow for moisture is important.

Winter cover crop

A crop, such as red clover, fall rye, etc., seeded in the fall to protect the soil from water and wind erosion during the winter and from heavy rains and run-off in the spring.

Woodlands

Non-workable land such as woodlots, sugarbushes, tree windbreaks, and bush that is not used for grazing.

Workable land

All arable or cleared lands including area in hay, crops, summerfallow, and tame or seeded pasture land.

• Who should fill out a questionnaire?
• Confidentiality and biosecurity
• Costs and response burden
• Content and data
• Processing the data

Who should fill out a questionnaire?

1. Who needs to complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire?
2. What is the definition of an agricultural operator?
3. How is an agricultural operation defined?
4. Are hobby farms included in the Census of Agriculture?
5. Why do operators of very small operations have to fill in the Census of Agriculture questionnaire?
6. How does the Census of Agriculture benefit operators?
7. What is the legal authority for the Census of Agriculture?
8. Is it mandatory to answer and return the questionnaire?

Confidentiality and biosecurity

9. Can a person be identified by the information they provide?
10. Why does Statistics Canada conduct the Census of Agriculture?
11. How are my data kept private?
12. Is information from the Census of Agriculture and the Census of Population combined in any way?
13. What safeguards are in place to protect biosecurity on farms?

Costs and response burden

14. Why doesn't the Census of Agriculture use sampling?
15. Why aren't there different questionnaires for different types of agricultural operations?
16. How much does the Census of Agriculture cost?
17. Why is the Census of Agriculture taken in May, such a busy time for farmers?
18. Is Statistics Canada conducting a Farm Financial Survey this year in addition to the Census of Agriculture?
19. What about my income tax return? The census seems to be asking for exactly the same information that I've already given the government.
20. Why are other agriculture surveys taken at the same time as the census?
21. What other agriculture surveys are being conducted during the 2011 Census window?
22. How is response burden being reduced?

Content and data

23. What is different about the 2011 Census of Agriculture from 2006?
24. How was the content of the 2011 Census of Agriculture determined?
25. How many agricultural operations were counted in the last Census of Agriculture?
26. How are Census of Agriculture data used?
27. Does the Census of Agriculture ask any questions that could be used to assess farming's impact on the environment?

Processing the data

28. Where will Census of Agriculture data be processed?
29. What steps are taken to ensure that all agricultural operations are counted?
30. When will the 2011 Census of Agriculture data be available to the public, and how can I keep track of releases?
31. Why does it take a year to release results from the Census of Agriculture?
32. For what geographic areas are Census of Agriculture data available?
33. How is the quality of the data evaluated?

Who should fill out a questionnaire?

1. Who needs to complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire?

Any of the persons responsible for operating a farm or an agricultural operation should fill in a Census of Agriculture questionnaire.

2. What is the definition of an agricultural operator?

The Census of Agriculture uses the word operator to define a person responsible for the management and/or financial decisions made in the production of agricultural commodities. An agricultural operation can have more than one operator, such as a husband and wife, a father and son, two sisters, or two neighbours.

The terms "agricultural operator" and "operation" are used in the census because they are broader in scope than "farmer" and "farm", and better reflect the range of agricultural businesses from which the Census of Agriculture collects data. For example, the term farm would not usually be associated with operations such as maple sugar bushes, mushroom houses, ranches or feedlots.

3. How is an agricultural operation defined?

An agricultural operation is defined as a farm, ranch or other operation that produces agricultural products intended for sale.

The Census of Agriculture considers an agricultural operation to be:

Any operation that grows or produces any of the agricultural products listed below with the intent to sell these products (it is not necessary to have had sales of the products, only that they are being produced with the intent of selling them).

Crops:

• hay and field crops (hay, grains, field peas, beans, potatoes, coriander and other spices, etc.)
• vegetables (all vegetables, herbs, rhubarb, melons, garlic, gourds, etc.)
• sod, nursery products and Christmas trees
• fruits, berries or nuts (apples, other fruit trees, grapes, blueberries and other berries, saskatoons, hazelnuts, etc.)
• seed

Poultry:

• laying hens and pullets
• layer and broiler breeders
• broilers, roasters and Cornish
• turkeys
• other poultry (geese, ducks, roosters, ostriches, emus, pheasants, quail, pigeons, etc.)
• commercial poultry hatcheries

Livestock:

• cattle and calves
• pigs
• sheep and lambs
• other livestock (horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, rabbits, bison, elk, deer, wild boars, mink, fox, donkeys, mules, chinchillas, etc.)

Animal products:

• milk or cream
• eggs
• wool
• fur
• meat

Other agricultural products:

• greenhouse products
• mushrooms
• maple products
• bees owned (for honey or pollination)

Other products or activities considered agricultural operations according to the Census of Agriculture are:

• harvesting wild rice
• sprouting alfalfa or beans
• growing legal cannabis
• growing mushrooms on logs in a controlled environment
• wineries, if they grow any grapes or fruit
• garden centres if they grow any of their products
• hay processing or dehydration plants if they grow hay on land they own or lease
• horse operations that do not sell agricultural products but offer boarding, riding or training services.

The following are NOT considered agricultural operations according to the Census of Agriculture:

Operations that harvest or grow only:

• peat moss
• top soil
• gravel
• fish (wild or aquaculture)
• silviculture products
• wild cones, wild Christmas trees, logs, firewood, pulpwood, evergreen boughs, etc.
• wild berries, wild plants, wild mushrooms, etc.
• all wild animals
• racing pigeons
• worms
• crickets, rats, mice, etc. for pet stores
• laboratory animal production
• all pets (dogs, cats, pot-bellied pigs, guinea pigs, finches, budgies, etc.), including kennels for pets.

For the Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories only, the following activities qualify as an agricultural operation for the Census of Agriculture:

• herding wild animals (such as caribou and muskox)
• breeding sled dogs
• horse outfitting and rigging
• harvesting indigenous plants and berries.

4. Are hobby farms included in the Census of Agriculture?

Yes. Farms with very low farm revenues—commonly called "hobby" farms—are included as long as the agricultural products produced are intended for sale.

5. Why do operators of very small operations have to fill in the Census of Agriculture questionnaire?

The Census of Agriculture enumerates small operations because it is important that the total farm area and the total inventory of all crops, livestock and other agricultural products in Canada be counted. There are many small agricultural operations that as a group contribute significantly to agricultural inventories.

6. How does the Census of Agriculture benefit operators?

When an agricultural operator fills out and sends back his or her census questionnaire, it adds another voice to the quarter of a million answers that are reflected in census data. In combination they provide the only definitive statistical picture of Canada's farm sector available to farmers' own organizations and to agriculture policy-makers. The media also interpret census data, bringing current issues to the forefront of public attention.

Although there are other agriculture surveys, only the Census of Agriculture gives data at the local level. Its community-level data ensure that the issues affecting farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations are included when making decisions that affect them and their livelihood.

• Operators can use census data to make production, marketing and investment decisions.
• Producer groups and marketing agencies use census data in their non-government organizations to tell Canadians and government how they are doing economically.
• Companies supplying agricultural products and services use the data to determine locations for their service centres.
• Government policy advisors use the data to help develop programs related to safety nets and agricultural workers for the agriculture sector.
• Operators can keep abreast of trends through the analysis of Census of Agriculture data published by the agriculture media.
• Agriculture websites can target their information based on current trends and needs in the sector identified by census data.
• Governments and farm organizations use census data to evaluate the impact of natural disasters on agriculture (such as floods, drought and icestorms) and react quickly.

7. What is the legal authority for the Census of Agriculture?

The mandate to conduct the Census of Agriculture every 10 years comes from the Constitution Act–1867 (formerly the British North America Act [BNA]).

Over the decades the mandate to conduct a census in the Constitution Act–1867 was augmented by the Statistics Act–1970, which stipulates that

"A census of agriculture of Canada shall be taken by Statistics Canada

1. in the year 1971 and in every tenth year thereafter; and
2. in the year 1976 and in every tenth year thereafter, unless the Governor in Council otherwise directs in respect of any such year, 1970-71-72, c. 15, s. 19."

8. Is it mandatory to answer and return the questionnaire?

Yes. Under the Statistics Act, agricultural operators are required to complete a Census of Agriculture form.

Confidentiality and biosecurity

9. Can a person be identified by the information they provide?

No. All published data are subject to confidentiality restrictions, and any data in which an individual or agricultural operation could be identified are suppressed.

10. Why does Statistics Canada conduct the Census of Agriculture?

The Census of Agriculture collects a wide range of data on the agriculture industry such as number of farms and farm operators, farm area, business operating arrangements, land management practices, livestock and crop inventories, operating expenses and receipts, farm capital and farm machinery and equipment.

These data provide a comprehensive picture of the agriculture industry across Canada every five years at the national, provincial and sub-provincial levels.

11. How are my data kept private?

All questionnaires are returned by mail to a single processing centre in the National Capital Region. Any telephone follow-up of incomplete questionnaires is from a centralized location outside your area.

While employees of Statistics Canada will see your personal information while your form is being processed, they have all sworn an oath of secrecy that comes with significant penalties should they disclose personal information.

12. Is information from the Census of Agriculture and the Census of Population combined in any way?

Yes. A special Agriculture–National Household Survey database is created after each census to provide a social profile of people involved in agriculture. Information can be found on the size of the farm population, marital status and language of farm operators and the size of farm families. The provisions on confidentiality ensure that the identity of individuals is protected and that they cannot be identified by the information they provide.

13. What safeguards are in place to protect biosecurity on farms?

All Census of Agriculture questionnaires are mailed to respondents, although in some parts of rural Canada enumerators visit your house to deliver your Census of Population questionnaire.

Diseases can be accidentally introduced by a visitor to a farm and agricultural operators may limit access to their land or farm buildings. Enumerators are asked to behave responsibly by showing sensitivity to the issues operators face, and by making sure their actions do not contribute to the risk of spreading infection.

Enumerators follow these practices when delivering census questionnaires:

• Questionnaires are delivered to the residence or farmhouse only.
• Enumerators do not cross farmland or fields to locate the operator if no one is home.
• They also will not enter farm buildings, farm shops, etc., in an attempt to locate the operator.
• Pets do not accompany an enumerator.

If there is a biosecurity sign at the entrance or main gate (“Restricted Access” for example) the enumerator will not enter the property but will record that “access is restricted” and another method (such as a phone call) will be used to ensure that the operator receives the census questionnaires.

Costs and response burden

14. Why doesn't the Census of Agriculture use sampling?

The Statistics Act requires that a census of all farm operations in Canada be conducted every five years. Since a census includes, by definition, every farm operation, sampling only a portion of operations would not honour the Act nor would it provide the complete picture a census can.

The Census of Agriculture is the primary source for small-area data and for survey sampling and it is important that each agricultural operation complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire, regardless of size or geographic location. Samples are used for making agriculture estimates between census years.

15. Why aren't there different questionnaires for different types of agricultural operations?

The Census of Agriculture uses a generalized form for operators across Canada, since all respondents need to answer some questions. Using one form nation-wide ensures consistency across Canada, while tick boxes and different sections for specific types of operations allow operators to answer only those questions pertinent to their type of operation. A single form also keeps development costs down. Every effort is made to keep the questionnaire as concise as possible to minimize respondent burden.

16. How much does the Census of Agriculture cost?

The projected total cost for the 2011 Census of Agriculture over the six-year cycle is $42.4 million. An independently conducted Census of Agriculture would cost at least $13 million more in total than it does by combining it with the Census of Population.

17. Why is the Census of Agriculture taken in May, such a busy time for farmers?

In this particularly busy and stressful period the arrival of the 2011 Census of Agriculture questionnaire in May might seem ill-timed. But by working with the Census of Population, the Census of Agriculture is afforded an opportunity to save millions of taxpayers' dollars by sharing many aspects of collection, including postal costs and the processing centre. The timing of the larger Census of Population is driven by the need to maximize the number of Canadians who are home during enumeration. During the winter our retired “snowbirds” migrate south, and the moment school lets out many Canadian families with school children go on vacation. These factors have led the Census of Population to decide that May 10 will be Census Day. While it may take farm operators away from their work, filling in the questionnaire yields its own benefits.

Producer groups and marketing agencies use census data to tell Canadians and governments about their economic health, which can influence agriculture policies. Operators can keep abreast of trends through the analysis of Census of Agriculture data published by the agriculture media. And the agriculture websites used by farmers can target their information to current trends and needs based on census data.

18. Is Statistics Canada conducting a Farm Financial Survey this year in addition to the Census of Agriculture?

The Farm Financial Survey is conducted every year. In 2011, the collection period was in July and August and coincided with the census collection period. To lighten the burden on respondents, overlap with other agriculture surveys is minimized.

19. What about my income tax return? The census seems to be asking for exactly the same information that I've already given the government.

At this time respondents must provide business financial information for their agricultural operation on the Census of Agriculture questionnaire. However, Statistics Canada will use this information to determine how to use tax data to replace the detailed operating expenses in Step 32 for the 2016 Census of Agriculture in order to reduce the response burden for farmers.

20. Why are other agriculture surveys taken at the same time as the census?

Because timely information on the agriculture industry is required by governments and other users, it is necessary to conduct sample surveys with a shorter time frame than the census. The Census of Agriculture is a national activity that involves collecting information from every agricultural operation in Canada. The collection, follow-up, quality checks, tabulation and publication of data from such an extensive operation take about one year. The census could not replace small-scale surveys, which have a much more rapid turnaround time. It is also more economical to collect certain types of information on a sample basis, especially if the required data are only for specific provinces or population groups. Once available, Census of Agriculture data are used to benchmark farm surveys.

21. What other agriculture surveys are being conducted during the 2011 Census window?

Between mid-April and the end of June Statistics Canada conducts these agriculture surveys:

• the Atlantic Agriculture Survey (sample size approximately 1,000 in the Atlantic Region)
• the Fruit and Vegetable Survey, Spring (sample size approximately 12,000 nationally)
• the Maple Survey (sample size approximately 2,000 in Ontario and New Brunswick)
• the National Potato Area and Yield Survey (sample size approximately 200 in the Atlantic Region, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia)
• the Ranch Fur Survey (sample size approximately 300 nationally)
• the June Farm Survey (sample size approximately 24,850 nationally, excluding the Atlantic Region)
• the July Livestock Survey (sample size approximately 10,500 in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia)
• the Hay and Straw Prices Survey (Ontario only, sample size approximately 125).

22. How is response burden being reduced?

During the Census of Agriculture collection period, the Agriculture Division cancels some smaller surveys, reduces the sample size for others, and minimizes the overlap with big surveys like the Farm Financial Survey.

Offering farm operators choices in the way they respond to the Census of Agriculture—on paper with return by mail, online, or by telephone—can also make responding easier and faster. A toll-free help line to answer respondents' questions about the Census of Agriculture is also available.

Content and data

23. What is different about the 2011 Census of Agriculture from 2006?

The 2011 Census of Agriculture questionnaire contains questions asked in 2006 as well as new ones. Some questions remain unchanged to maintain consistency and comparability of data over time. Other questions have been added or deleted to reflect changes in the agriculture industry. For example:

• Business Number: A question has been added to request the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number for the agricultural operation. In addition, a brief explanation of the intent of this question has been added to the back cover of the questionnaire. Using this data, a pilot project will evaluate the feasibility of replacing the financial information asked in Step 32 with CRA tax data, which could significantly reduce the response burden for farmers.
• Paid work: The number of employees working full or part time has been added in order to provide a measure of the number of people working on farms. This will significantly add to the picture of agricultural labour when coupled with the established questions on the number of hours or weeks of paid work on farms.
• Crop residue: A new step has been added to request the area from which crop residue was baled. This is an environmentally relevant question, as crop residue management affects erosion rates, contamination of surface and groundwater, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon sequestration.
• Practices and land features: Two new questions have been added to identify agricultural operations involved in “in-field winter grazing or feeding” and “nutrient management planning.” These questions will provide more comprehensive data on farmers' adoption of environmental management techniques.
• Internet: A question on access to high-speed Internet has been added in order to evaluate the accessibility of respondents to services provided by Internet. This will assist agriculture service providers in the public and private sectors in planning service delivery to farmers.
• Farm-related injuries: These questions were removed because better quality data are available from alternative sources.
• Organic but not certified: This category was removed in order to reflect the new regulations on the use of the term "organic."

An explanation of other changes or additions from the 2006 questionnaire is available by topic in the order they appear on the 2011 questionnaire. These changes are a result of user consultations and testing before the 2011 questionnaire was finalized. Some questions or categories have been combined in response to suggestions that doing so would make the question more understandable and easier to answer.

24. How was the content of the 2011 Census of Agriculture determined?

Census of Agriculture staff consulted with data users at a series of workshops held across Canada in 2007. Agricultural producer groups, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada analysts, other public and private sector analysts and academics suggested new topics for the 2011 Census of Agriculture by written submission after consultation workshops.

New or changed questions were developed in Head Office in consultation with industry experts and tested a number of times with farm operators who reflected regional diversity—in types of agriculture, production techniques, farm size, language and age. This testing proved that some questions would not perform well on the census, and that the wording of other questions would require fine-tuning.

Based on the test results, Statistics Canada finalized the content and design of the 2011 questionnaire in the fall of 2009. The questions were approved by Cabinet and prescribed by Order in Council as required under the Statistics Act in the spring of 2010.

25. How many agricultural operations were counted in the last Census of Agriculture?

The 2006 Census of Agriculture recorded 229,373 census farms.

Table 1  Number of agricultural operations in 2011 and 2006, Canada and provinces

Province	2011	2006
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.
Newfoundland and Labrador	510	558
Prince Edward Island	1,495	1,700
Nova Scotia	3,905	3,795
New Brunswick	2,611	2,776
Quebec	29,437	30,675
Ontario	51,950	57,211
Manitoba	15,877	19,054
Saskatchewan	36,952	44,329
Alberta	43,234	49,431
British Columbia	19,759	19,844
Canada	205,730	229,373

26. How are Census of Agriculture data used?

Census of Agriculture data are used by:

• farm operators, to formulate production, marketing and investment decisions
• agricultural producer groups, to inform their members about industry trends and developments, to put the viewpoint of operators before legislators and the Canadian public, and to defend their interests in international trade negotiations
• governments, to make policy decisions concerning agricultural credit, crop insurance, farm support, transportation, market services and international trade
• Statistics Canada, to produce annual estimates between censuses for the agriculture sector
• businesses, to market products and services and to make production and investment decisions
• academics, to conduct research on the agriculture sector
• the media, to portray the agriculture sector to the broader Canadian public.

27. Does the Census of Agriculture ask any questions that could be used to assess farming's impact on the environment?

Many of the questions on the census can contribute in some way to forming a picture of Canadian farms and the manner in which they shape the environment.

The Census of Agriculture asks questions about farming practices that conserve soil fertility and prevent erosion, pesticide and fertilizer use, and the land features used to prevent wind or water damage. There is a section on manure use, another on irrigation, one on tillage practices and one on baling crop residue. Data from these questions present a picture of farmers' relationship with the environment and, by evaluating and comparing the data over time, analysts can assess how operators are adapting their methods and fulfilling their role as stewards of the land.

Processing the data

28. Where will Census of Agriculture data be processed?

Once completed questionnaires are received by Canada Post, they go to a central processing centre in the National Capital Region where they are scanned and electronically imaged for data capture. Processing Census of Agriculture questionnaires includes many checks and balances to ensure high quality data. Its many steps—including several kinds of edits (clerical, subject-matter, geographic), matching and unduplicating individual farms, adjusting for missing data, validating data by comparing them to several benchmarks, and providing estimates—have evolved into a sophisticated system that ensures high-quality data. The data that emerge at the other end are stored on a database and used to generate publications and users' custom requests.

29. What steps are taken to ensure that all agricultural operations are counted?

In 2011, Canada Post delivered a Census of Agriculture questionnaire to addresses where it is believed a farm operator lives. The addresses are determined from the previous census and other agriculture surveys. Census of Population questionnaires were delivered by Canada Post as well, but may have been delivered by an enumerator in rural areas.

On the Census of Population questionnaire respondents are asked if there is a farm operator living in the household. This question triggers a follow-up from Head Office to help ensure that new farms are identified and counted.

Respondents were able to complete their questionnaires on paper, by telephone or via the Internet. Telephone follow-up will be conducted with those respondents who received questionnaires but did not return them.

In addition, the data processing sequence includes several safeguards that can find “missing” farms that were counted in 2006 but did not return a questionnaire in 2011 or, conversely, farms that did not exist in 2006 but have been identified on subsequent agriculture surveys since then.

30. When will the 2011 Census of Agriculture data be available to the public, and how can I keep track of releases?

First release: May 10, 2012 from the Census of Agriculture database. Interested data users can keep up-to-date on release dates through Agriculture Division's People, products and services directory. This document provides details on the 2011 Census of Agriculture and related products and services, including pricing and ordering information. Copies are available by calling 1-800-236-1136.

Statistics Canada's official release bulletin, The Daily, lists the full range of census data with highlights on major trends and findings.

Data from both the Census of Population and Census of Agriculture will appear in the general media and farm media. Users may also contact Census of Agriculture data and subject-matter consultation staff toll free at 1-800-236-1136.

31. Why does it take a year to release results from the Census of Agriculture?

The Census of Agriculture is a national activity that involves collecting information from every agricultural operation in Canada. The collection, follow-up, quality checks, processing, tabulation and publication of data from such an extensive operation take about one year.

All of these steps must be made to assure that data are accurate, even at very low levels of geography. This is critical since census data are used to benchmark estimates and draw survey samples between censuses.

32. For what geographic areas are Census of Agriculture data available?

Census of Agriculture data are available for Canada, the provinces and territories, and for areas corresponding to counties, crop districts and rural municipalities. User-defined areas are also available by calling Census of Agriculture data and subject-matter consultation staff toll free at 1-800-236-1136. All tabulated data are subjected to confidentiality restrictions, and any data that could result in the disclosure of information concerning any particular individual or agricultural operation are suppressed.

33. How is the quality of the data evaluated?

To ensure that data from the 2011 Census are accurate, control procedures are set up throughout collection and processing. Processing the data is a long and complex process. Its many steps—including several kinds of edits (clerical, subject-matter, geographic), matching and unduplicating individual farms, adjusting for missing data, validating data by comparing them to several other data sources, and providing estimates—have evolved into a sophisticated system that ensures high-quality data. The data that emerge at the other end are stored on a database and used to generate publications and users' custom requests.

When data are released on May 10, 2012, net undercoverage for the number of farms, farm area and gross farm receipts will also be available, based on an evaluation of Census of Agriculture coverage.