The Census of Agriculture is coming

Producer and rancher input needed for accurate representation of Canadian ag landscape

Spring is an exciting and incredibly busy time of year for Alberta producers and ranchers – year-end paperwork, calving, seeding preparation, and this year, the Census of Agriculture will be sent out to operations across Canada.

Why participating matters

Completing the census is important for supporting the agricultural industry and local farming communities, Statistics Canada says. “The data produced are key to supporting economic growth and sustainability for the businesses in this sector and can support decision-making around international trade, competitiveness and technological progress.”

Also, farm organizations and associations use census data to develop policy recommendations and conduct market research.

For example, census data provide Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) with a better understanding of producer distribution, operation organization and other factors that could drive producer decision making, says ABP Government Relations and Policy Lead Mark Lyseng.

“It gives a numerical presentation and data to what we’re seeing on the ground. Are farms consolidating?” Lyseng notes. “It gives us a third-party number to back what we’re seeing.”

Supporting policy and emergency response

In addition, policy advisors from all levels of government use Census of Agriculture data to develop farm support programs, evaluate the impacts of external events on the industry and provide rapid, effective assistance during such natural disasters as floods, droughts and wildfires.

The census is sent out every five years and in accordance with the Statistics Act, farmers and producers are required to complete the questionnaire. The same act requires Statistics Canada protects the information provided in the census.

“The questionnaire can be completed by anyone who is responsible for, or knowledgeable about, the day-to-day management decisions of the farm’s operations,” Statistics Canada says.

Statistics Canada has changed some aspects of the questionnaire to make completion easier for producers. The census is now shorter and faster to complete, Statistics Canada says, with operators required to only answer questions relevant to their operation’s activity.

This year, beef producers will be asked to report the acreage dedicated to specific land practices, including in-field winter grazing or feeding, rotational grazing, turning in green crops, and planting fall or winter cover crops.

The Census of Agriculture has provided a snapshot of Canada’s agriculture industry since 1921.

Once open on May 4, producers can access the questionnaire at www.census.gc.ca.