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.
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