Overview of the Census of Agriculture
Chapter 3 – Census of Agriculture products and services

Census of Agriculture data at work

The Census of Agriculture is the cornerstone of Canada's agriculture statistics program. Governments use Census of Agriculture data to develop, operate and evaluate agricultural policies and programs. Statistics Canada uses the data as benchmarks for estimating crops, livestock and farm finances between census years.

Users in the private sector see the Census of Agriculture as an important window on the agricultural industry. Agribusiness evaluates market potential, and makes production and investment decisions based on census data; farm boards and organizations use Census of Agriculture data as a foundation for their discussions with governments and trade organizations. Governments and farm organizations use census data to evaluate the impact of natural disasters on agriculture (such as floods, drought and ice storms) and react quickly. Academics base much of their economic analysis of agriculture on data from the Census of Agriculture.

The Census of Agriculture serves all of these needs by offering a variety of products and services.

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Data products

Basic counts and totals for all 2011 farm and farm operator variables will become available online as of May 10, 2012. These data are tabulated at the national and provincial levels, as well as at all three subprovincial levels (census agricultural region, census division and census consolidated subdivision).

As of the fall of 2012, the selected historical farm and farm operator data will become available. In the fall of 2013, the final online release of data will include selected 2011 and historical data on social characteristics of farm operators, census farm families and on the farm population from the agriculture-population linkage database.

Analytical product

Canadian Agriculture at a Glance

As of the fall of 2012, Agriculture Division's flagship publication, Canadian Agriculture at a Glance, will become available. 'Glance' will retain its format of short analytical articles, written in lively and readable text, on the many different aspects of agriculture and its people in Canada. These articles are complemented by maps, full-colour photos, graphs and charts that give its diverse array of subjects an eye-catching and informative visual interpretation. The online publication is designed with students in mind, avoiding jargon and explaining issues in understandable terms. 'Glance' will continue its tradition of marrying Census of Agriculture data with other Statistics Canada and external data sources.

Custom data products and services

The Data and Subject Matter Consulting Unit of the Census of Agriculture can tailor products and tabulations to meet the special data requirements of clients. Custom tabulations allow the user to create unique tables from the 2011 Census of Agriculture and agriculture-population linkage databases (from 1971 to 2011 [available in the fall of 2013] except for the 1976 Census), as well as selected historical data (every census year available since 1921).

Subject to confidentiality restrictions, custom tabulations can be produced for Census of Agriculture standard geographic areas, as well as user-defined areas.

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Pricing

The data products mentioned previously are all available on Statistics Canada's website for free on their respective day of release. Pricing for custom data products and services are based on the consulting time that is required for developing the product, the number of geographic areas and variables requested, and the data processing requirements for the custom product.

Media

Custom products are available in a variety of output media (print, CD-R and electronic data transfer), depending on the users' requirements.

Service centres

To obtain more information on the data, products and services available from the Census of Agriculture, please contact Statistics Canada's National Contact Centre, the Census of Agriculture Data and Subject Matter Consulting Unit (toll-free at 1-800-465-1991) or consult the Statistics Canada Online Catalogue or People, Products and Services, Agriculture Division, Catalogue no. 21F0003G.