The Census of Agriculture (CEAG) provides the only comprehensive and integrated profile of the physical, economic, social and environmental aspects of Canada's agriculture sector. The CEAG is mandated under the Statistics Act to be conducted every five years and is instrumental in supporting public and private decision making, research, and analysis in areas of concern to farmers, rural communities, and the Canadian agricultural sector.
Census data provides a reliable source of information to farm organizations, government departments, agriculture suppliers and service providers, and researchers that help them understand and respond to changes in agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is essential for understanding changes in Canada's agriculture sector over time.
The Census of Agriculture publishes a wide range of data at the national, provincial and sub-provincial levels, such as:
- Number of farms and farm operators;
- Farm areas;
- Business operating arrangements;
- Land management practices;
- Livestock inventories and crop areas;
- Farm total operating revenues and total operating expenses;
- Farm capital.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes. Additionally, information from partially completed or unsaved questionnaires may be retained and used.
Collection period:
From May 4, 2026, to July 31, 2026
Collection methods:
Electronic questionnaire:
The electronic questionnaire is the main collection method and is available at: Statistics Canada's electronic questionnaire portal
Telephone:
The Census Help Line (CHL) will be available to answer questions and assist respondents to complete the questionnaire online.
Paper questionnaire:
Available upon request.
Survey participation:
Mandatory
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.
By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.
Data sharing agreements and record linkage
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this census and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.
Topics covered in the survey
The survey asks questions about:
- farm operators;
- farm type;
- business operating arrangements;
- land tenure;
- land use (e.g., area of land under cultivation or summerfallow);
- tillage and seeding practices;
- land practices and features;
- crop residue baled;
- land inputs and manure;
- irrigation;
- mushrooms;
- greenhouses;
- number of maple tree taps;
- organic production;
- bees;
- poultry;
- livestock;
- technologies;
- renewable energy;
- farm capital (including, value of land and buildings, value of farm vehicles, machinery and equipment);
- direct sales of agricultural products to consumers;
- succession planning.
Published data
Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.
Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.
Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.
To find data and other information related to this survey, consult the Census of Agriculture portal.