Section 2 - Agricultural perspectives from seven censuses, Canada and provinces: census years 1976 to 2006

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  • Canada
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Nova Scotia
  • New Brunswick
  • Quebec

  • Ontario
  • Manitoba
  • Saskatchewan
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia

    • Canada

     
    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Canada 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cellpercentage change
    Commercial fertilizer Empty cell Empty cell
    Acres..45,727,34557,199,88853,280,44861,634,60159,341,90462,636,313...37.09.517.61.65.6
    Hectares..18,505,19823,147,97121,561,83024,942,63524,014,81425,348,013...37.09.517.61.65.6
    Farms reporting..188,726193,797165,670162,257134,120118,226...-37.4-39.0-28.6-27.1-11.9
    Percentage of total farms...59.366.159.258.754.351.5...-13.2-22.1-13.0-12.3-5.2
    Average area in acres per farm reporting...242295322380442530...119.079.764.639.519.9
    Herbicides1 Empty cell Empty cell
    Acres..37,610,44856,708,35453,371,08057,488,30964,002,55161,332,083...63.18.214.96.7-4.2
    Hectares..15,220,40722,949,05421,598,50823,264,69125,900,91124,820,210...63.18.214.96.7-4.2
    Farms reporting..156,267172,871138,367137,184126,850103,496...-33.8-40.1-25.2-24.6-18.4
    Percentage of total farms...49.159.049.449.651.445.1...-8.1-23.6-8.7-9.1-12.3
    Average area in acres per farm reporting...241328386419505593...146.180.853.641.517.4
    Insecticides1,2 Empty cell Empty cell
    Acres........7,252,8995,500,4125,916,647............-18.47.6
    Hectares........2,935,1442,225,9382,394,382............-18.47.6
    Farms reporting........39,08727,74223,874............-38.9-13.9
    Percentage of total farms............14.111.210.4............-26.2-7.1
    Average area in acres per farm reporting............186198248............33.325.3
    Fungicides1,2 Empty cell Empty cell
    Acres........4,493,4546,356,5117,066,716............57.311.2
    Hectares........1,818,4362,572,3882,859,798............57.311.2
    Farms reporting........22,02222,48219,629............-10.9-12.7
    Percentage of total farms............8.09.18.6............7.5-5.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting............204283360............76.527.2

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Newfoundland and Labrador

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Newfoundland and Labrador 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 10,906 11,755 13,427 15,972 15,852 15,180 ... 39.2 29.1 13.1 -5.0 -4.2
    Hectares .. 4,414 4,757 5,434 6,464 6,415 6,143 ... 39.2 29.1 13.1 -5.0 -4.2
    Farms reporting .. 334 356 368 392 352 279 ... -16.5 -21.6 -24.2 -28.8 -20.7
    Percentage of total farms ... 49.2 54.7 50.8 52.8 54.7 50.0 ... 1.6 -8.6 -1.6 -5.3 -8.6
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 33 33 36 41 45 54 ... 63.6 63.6 50.0 31.7 20.0
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 1,234 1,660 1,414 1,735 2,637 3,893 ... 215.5 134.5 175.3 124.4 47.6
    Hectares .. 499 672 572 702 1,067 1,575 ... 215.5 134.5 175.3 124.4 47.6
    Farms reporting .. 140 124 114 151 140 121 ... -13.6 -2.4 6.1 -19.9 -13.6
    Percentage of total farms ... 20.6 19.0 15.7 20.4 21.8 21.7 ... 5.3 14.2 38.2 6.4 -0.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 9 13 12 11 19 32 ... 255.6 146.2 166.7 190.9 68.4
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 1,212 1,585 1,312 ... ... ... ... 8.3 -17.2
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 490 641 531 ... ... ... ... 8.3 -17.2
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 152 151 100 ... ... ... ... -34.2 -33.8
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 20.5 23.5 17.9 ... ... ... ... -12.7 -23.8
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 8 11 13 ... ... ... ... 62.5 18.2
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 394 766 555 ... ... ... ... 40.9 -27.5
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 159 310 225 ... ... ... ... 40.9 -27.5
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 40 61 37 ... ... ... ... -7.5 -39.3
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 5.4 9.5 6.6 ... ... ... ... 22.2 -30.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 10 13 15 ... ... ... ... 50.0 15.4

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Prince Edward Island

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Prince Edward Island 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 265,494 279,964 252,336 295,393 272,069 277,236 ... 4.4 -1.0 9.9 -6.1 1.9
    Hectares .. 107,442 113,297 102,117 119,541 110,102 112,193 ... 4.4 -1.0 9.9 -6.1 1.9
    Farms reporting .. 2,421 2,200 1,668 1,534 1,232 1,075 ... -55.6 -51.1 -35.6 -29.9 -12.7
    Percentage of total farms ... 76.8 77.7 70.6 69.2 66.8 63.2 ... -17.7 -18.7 -10.5 -8.7 -5.4
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 110 127 151 193 221 211 ... 91.8 66.1 39.7 9.3 -4.5
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 202,104 211,455 182,322 225,772 229,145 216,708 ... 7.2 2.5 18.9 -4.0 -5.4
    Hectares .. 81,789 85,573 73,783 91,367 92,732 87,699 ... 7.2 2.5 18.9 -4.0 -5.4
    Farms reporting .. 2,024 1,803 1,191 1,212 1,087 876 ... -56.7 -51.4 -26.4 -27.7 -19.4
    Percentage of total farms ... 64.2 63.6 50.4 54.7 59.0 51.5 ... -19.8 -19.0 2.2 -5.9 -12.7
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 100 117 153 186 211 247 ... 147.0 111.1 61.4 32.8 17.1
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 115,888 111,841 99,247 ... ... ... ... -14.4 -11.3
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 46,898 45,260 40,164 ... ... ... ... -14.4 -11.3
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 691 605 478 ... ... ... ... -30.8 -21.0
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 31.2 32.8 28.1 ... ... ... ... -9.9 -14.3
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 168 185 208 ... ... ... ... 23.8 12.4
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 109,638 110,081 103,386 ... ... ... ... -5.7 -6.1
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 44,369 44,548 41,839 ... ... ... ... -5.7 -6.1
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 588 519 425 ... ... ... ... -27.7 -18.1
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 26.5 28.1 25.0 ... ... ... ... -5.7 -11.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 187 212 243 ... ... ... ... 29.9 14.6

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Nova Scotia

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Nova Scotia 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 218,779 210,145 203,287 218,817 218,377 202,421 ... -7.5 -3.7 -0.4 -7.5 -7.3
    Hectares .. 88,537 85,043 82,267 88,552 88,374 81,917 ... -7.5 -3.7 -0.4 -7.5 -7.3
    Farms reporting .. 3,000 2,722 2,424 2,643 2,336 2,095 ... -30.2 -23.0 -13.6 -20.7 -10.3
    Percentage of total farms ... 59.5 63.6 60.9 59.4 59.5 55.2 ... -7.2 -13.2 -9.4 -7.1 -7.2
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 73 77 84 83 93 97 ... 32.9 26.0 15.5 16.9 4.3
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 51,553 61,145 55,310 65,782 73,355 70,482 ... 36.7 15.3 27.4 7.1 -3.9
    Hectares .. 20,863 24,745 22,383 26,621 29,686 28,523 ... 36.7 15.3 27.4 7.1 -3.9
    Farms reporting .. 1,131 1,183 1,057 1,286 1,215 1,120 ... -1.0 -5.3 6.0 -12.9 -7.8
    Percentage of total farms ... 22.4 27.6 26.6 28.9 31.0 29.5 ... 31.7 6.9 10.9 2.1 -4.8
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 46 52 52 51 60 63 ... 37.0 21.2 21.2 23.5 5.0
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 28,832 39,989 30,011 ... ... ... ... 4.1 -25.0
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 11,668 16,183 12,145 ... ... ... ... 4.1 -25.0
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 714 713 619 ... ... ... ... -13.3 -13.2
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 16.0 18.2 16.3 ... ... ... ... 1.9 -10.4
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 40 56 49 ... ... ... ... 22.5 -12.5
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 27,058 29,736 26,627 ... ... ... ... -1.6 -10.5
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 10,950 12,034 10,776 ... ... ... ... -1.6 -10.5
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 570 534 509 ... ... ... ... -10.7 -4.7
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 12.8 13.6 13.4 ... ... ... ... 4.7 -1.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 48 56 52 ... ... ... ... 8.3 -7.1

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    New Brunswick

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    New Brunswick 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 187,792 207,688 193,079 224,224 222,560 217,748 ... 16.0 4.8 12.8 -2.9 -2.2
    Hectares .. 75,997 84,048 78,136 90,740 90,067 88,119 ... 16.0 4.8 12.8 -2.9 -2.2
    Farms reporting .. 2,466 2,291 1,887 1,926 1,806 1,436 ... -41.8 -37.3 -23.9 -25.4 -20.5
    Percentage of total farms ... 60.7 64.5 58.0 56.6 59.5 51.7 ... -14.8 -19.8 -10.9 -8.7 -13.1
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 76 91 102 116 123 152 ... 100.0 67.0 49.0 31.0 23.6
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 99,334 113,171 98,495 112,174 133,482 136,289 ... 37.2 20.4 38.4 21.5 2.1
    Hectares .. 40,199 45,799 39,860 45,395 54,018 55,154 ... 37.2 20.4 38.4 21.5 2.1
    Farms reporting .. 1,258 1,170 859 918 995 843 ... -33.0 -27.9 -1.9 -8.2 -15.3
    Percentage of total farms ... 31.0 32.9 26.4 27.0 32.8 30.4 ... -1.9 -7.6 15.2 12.6 -7.3
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 79 97 115 122 134 162 ... 105.1 67.0 40.9 32.8 20.9
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 64,717 71,952 71,235 ... ... ... ... 10.1 -1.0
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 26,190 29,118 28,828 ... ... ... ... 10.1 -1.0
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 656 640 508 ... ... ... ... -22.6 -20.6
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 19.3 21.1 18.3 ... ... ... ... -5.2 -13.3
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 99 112 140 ... ... ... ... 41.4 25.0
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 58,753 65,493 74,851 ... ... ... ... 27.4 14.3
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 23,776 26,504 30,291 ... ... ... ... 27.4 14.3
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 470 436 402 ... ... ... ... -14.5 -7.8
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 13.8 14.4 14.5 ... ... ... ... 5.1 0.7
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 125 150 186 ... ... ... ... 48.8 24.0

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Quebec

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Quebec 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 2,731,505 2,938,659 2,462,953 2,448,969 2,475,336 2,578,875 ... -5.6 -12.2 4.7 5.3 4.2
    Hectares .. 1,105,401 1,189,233 996,722 991,062 1,001,733 1,043,634 ... -5.6 -12.2 4.7 5.3 4.2
    Farms reporting .. 27,368 26,599 20,732 18,871 16,593 14,746 ... -46.1 -44.6 -28.9 -21.9 -11.1
    Percentage of total farms ... 56.8 64.2 54.4 52.4 51.6 48.0 ... -15.5 -25.2 -11.8 -8.4 -7.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 100 110 119 130 149 175 ... 75.0 59.1 47.1 34.6 17.4
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 990,475 1,337,461 1,394,491 1,581,651 2,095,997 2,167,040 ... 118.8 62.0 55.4 37.0 3.4
    Hectares .. 400,831 541,251 564,330 640,071 848,220 876,970 ... 118.8 62.0 55.4 37.0 3.4
    Farms reporting .. 15,411 16,545 14,166 14,344 14,456 12,682 ... -17.7 -23.3 -10.5 -11.6 -12.3
    Percentage of total farms ... 32.0 39.9 37.2 39.9 45.0 41.3 ... 29.1 3.5 11.0 3.5 -8.2
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 64 81 98 110 145 171 ... 167.2 111.1 74.5 55.5 17.9
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 209,808 223,420 241,650 ... ... ... ... 15.2 8.2
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 84,906 90,415 97,792 ... ... ... ... 15.2 8.2
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 3,654 3,037 2,646 ... ... ... ... -27.6 -12.9
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 10.2 9.4 8.6 ... ... ... ... -15.7 -8.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 57 74 91 ... ... ... ... 59.6 23.0
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 162,402 181,184 189,965 ... ... ... ... 17.0 4.8
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 65,722 73,323 76,876 ... ... ... ... 17.0 4.8
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 2,853 2,448 2,198 ... ... ... ... -23.0 -10.2
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 7.9 7.6 7.2 ... ... ... ... -8.9 -5.3
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 57 74 86 ... ... ... ... 50.9 16.2

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Ontario

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Ontario 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 6,261,213 6,402,821 5,617,813 5,949,103 5,514,956 5,871,903 ... -6.2 -8.3 4.5 -1.3 6.5
    Hectares .. 2,533,823 2,591,126 2,273,448 2,407,516 2,231,823 2,376,275 ... -6.2 -8.3 4.5 -1.3 6.5
    Farms reporting .. 56,123 52,473 44,205 41,877 35,445 32,580 ... -41.9 -37.9 -26.3 -22.2 -8.1
    Percentage of total farms ... 68.1 72.2 64.4 62.0 59.3 56.9 ... -16.4 -21.2 -11.6 -8.2 -4.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 112 122 127 142 156 180 ... 60.7 47.5 41.7 26.8 15.4
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 4,753,376 4,981,059 4,426,851 4,929,995 5,458,514 5,433,806 ... 14.3 9.1 22.7 10.2 -0.5
    Hectares .. 1,923,623 2,015,763 1,791,483 1,995,098 2,208,982 2,198,983 ... 14.3 9.1 22.7 10.2 -0.5
    Farms reporting .. 47,231 43,902 33,497 33,373 31,544 27,034 ... -42.8 -38.4 -19.3 -19.0 -14.3
    Percentage of total farms ... 57.3 60.4 48.8 49.4 52.8 47.3 ... -17.5 -21.7 -3.1 -4.3 -10.4
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 101 114 132 148 173 201 ... 99.0 76.3 52.3 35.8 16.2
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 918,791 891,609 1,259,747 ... ... ... ... 37.1 41.3
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 371,821 360,821 509,801 ... ... ... ... 37.1 41.3
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 11,418 9,370 9,129 ... ... ... ... -20.0 -2.6
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 16.9 15.7 16.0 ... ... ... ... -5.3 1.9
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 81 95 138 ... ... ... ... 70.4 45.3
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 451,899 479,753 653,787 ... ... ... ... 44.7 36.3
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 182,877 194,149 264,578 ... ... ... ... 44.7 36.3
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 6,429 5,712 5,691 ... ... ... ... -11.5 -0.4
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 9.5 9.6 9.9 ... ... ... ... 4.2 3.1
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 70 84 115 ... ... ... ... 64.3 36.9

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Manitoba

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Manitoba 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 7,898,613 9,208,072 9,114,074 9,465,103 8,725,724 8,530,586 ... 8.0 -7.4 -6.4 -9.9 -2.2
    Hectares .. 3,196,455 3,726,374 3,688,335 3,830,391 3,531,175 3,452,205 ... 8.0 -7.4 -6.4 -9.9 -2.2
    Farms reporting .. 18,659 19,206 16,983 15,243 12,133 10,251 ... -45.1 -46.6 -39.6 -32.7 -15.5
    Percentage of total farms ... 63.4 70.3 66.1 62.5 57.6 53.8 ... -15.1 -23.5 -18.6 -13.9 -6.6
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 423 479 537 621 719 832 ... 96.7 73.7 54.9 34.0 15.7
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 6,246,626 8,859,638 8,063,498 8,455,210 8,811,838 7,930,905 ... 27.0 -10.5 -1.6 -6.2 -10.0
    Hectares .. 2,527,920 3,585,368 3,263,182 3,421,702 3,566,024 3,209,523 ... 27.0 -10.5 -1.6 -6.2 -10.0
    Farms reporting .. 16,954 19,167 14,723 13,888 12,166 9,183 ... -45.8 -52.1 -37.6 -33.9 -24.5
    Percentage of total farms ... 57.6 70.1 57.3 57.0 57.7 48.2 ... -16.3 -31.2 -15.9 -15.4 -16.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 368 462 548 609 724 864 ... 134.8 87.0 57.7 41.9 19.3
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 1,517,754 944,752 980,343 ... ... ... ... -35.4 3.8
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 614,213 382,328 396,731 ... ... ... ... -35.4 3.8
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 5,514 2,614 1,859 ... ... ... ... -66.3 -28.9
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 22.6 12.4 9.8 ... ... ... ... -56.6 -21.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 275 361 527 ... ... ... ... 91.6 46.0
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 963,994 1,831,979 1,916,179 ... ... ... ... 98.8 4.6
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 390,114 741,376 775,450 ... ... ... ... 98.8 4.6
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 2,886 3,385 2,591 ... ... ... ... -10.2 -23.5
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 11.8 16.1 13.6 ... ... ... ... 15.3 -15.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 334 541 740 ... ... ... ... 121.6 36.8

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Saskatchewan

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Saskatchewan 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 13,654,683 20,077,392 18,914,810 24,749,136 24,484,584 26,911,895 ... 97.1 34.0 42.3 8.7 9.9
    Hectares .. 5,525,854 8,125,031 7,654,551 10,015,619 9,908,559 10,890,856 ... 97.1 34.0 42.3 8.7 9.9
    Farms reporting .. 34,673 40,869 35,696 37,817 28,929 25,149 ... -27.5 -38.5 -29.5 -33.5 -13.1
    Percentage of total farms ... 51.5 64.4 58.7 66.4 57.2 56.7 ... 10.1 -12.0 -3.4 -14.6 -0.9
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 394 491 530 654 846 1070 ... 171.6 117.9 101.9 63.6 26.5
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 13,204,633 25,788,378 24,823,839 26,814,119 30,460,636 29,134,580 ... 120.6 13.0 17.4 8.7 -4.4
    Hectares .. 5,343,725 10,436,185 10,045,850 10,851,288 12,326,981 11,790,345 ... 120.6 13.0 17.4 8.7 -4.4
    Farms reporting .. 37,157 51,346 41,628 40,244 35,681 27,046 ... -27.2 -47.3 -35.0 -32.8 -24.2
    Percentage of total farms ... 55.2 80.9 68.4 70.6 70.5 61.0 ... 10.5 -24.6 -10.8 -13.6 -13.5
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 355 502 596 666 854 1077 ... 203.4 114.5 80.7 61.7 26.1
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 3,590,571 2,299,269 1,940,375 ... ... ... ... -46.0 -15.6
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 1,453,052 930,481 785,242 ... ... ... ... -46.0 -15.6
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 11,027 5,282 3,398 ... ... ... ... -69.2 -35.7
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 19.3 10.4 7.7 ... ... ... ... -60.1 -26.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 326 435 571 ... ... ... ... 75.2 31.3
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 1,314,750 2,258,447 2,425,597 ... ... ... ... 84.5 7.4
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 532,060 913,961 981,604 ... ... ... ... 84.5 7.4
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 3,237 4,857 3,519 ... ... ... ... 8.7 -27.5
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 5.7 10.0 7.9 ... ... ... ... 38.6 -21.0
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 406 465 689 ... ... ... ... 69.7 48.2

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    Alberta

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    Alberta 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 13,603,578 16,938,768 15,690,907 17,375,043 16,556,173 17,211,462 ... 26.5 1.6 9.7 -0.9 4.0
    Hectares .. 5,505,172 6,854,875 6,349,884 7,031,430 6,700,045 6,965,231 ... 26.5 1.6 9.7 -0.9 4.0
    Farms reporting .. 33,647 37,037 32,982 32,642 27,075 23,443 ... -30.3 -36.7 -28.9 -28.2 -13.4
    Percentage of total farms ... 58.0 64.1 57.6 55.3 50.5 47.4 ... -18.3 -26.1 -17.7 -14.3 -6.1
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 404 457 476 532 611 734 ... 81.7 60.6 54.2 38.0 20.0
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 11,761,734 15,005,557 14,012,340 14,949,086 16,368,127 15,858,085 ... 34.8 5.7 13.2 6.1 -3.1
    Hectares .. 4,759,804 6,072,533 5,670,592 6,049,680 6,623,945 6,417,538 ... 34.8 5.7 13.2 6.1 -3.1
    Farms reporting .. 31,222 32,837 27,047 27,198 25,019 20,482 ... -34.4 -37.6 -24.3 -24.7 -18.1
    Percentage of total farms ... 53.8 56.8 47.2 46.1 46.6 41.4 ... -23.0 -27.1 -12.3 -10.2 -11.2
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 377 457 518 550 654 774 ... 105.3 69.4 49.4 40.7 18.3
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 740,225 847,331 1,218,789 ... ... ... ... 64.7 43.8
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 299,558 342,903 493,226 ... ... ... ... 64.7 43.8
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 2,187 2,607 2,895 ... ... ... ... 32.4 11.0
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 3.7 4.9 5.9 ... ... ... ... 59.5 20.4
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 339 325 421 ... ... ... ... 24.2 29.5
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 1,342,715 1,338,791 1,613,958 ... ... ... ... 20.2 20.6
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 543,377 541,789 653,146 ... ... ... ... 20.2 20.6
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 2,329 2,198 2,309 ... ... ... ... -0.9 5.1
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 3.9 4.1 4.7 ... ... ... ... 20.5 14.6
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 577 609 699 ... ... ... ... 21.1 14.8

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.

    British Columbia

    Table 2.17
    Selected land management practices, Canada and provinces, census years 1976 to 2006
    British Columbia 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 1976 to 2006 1981 to 2006 1986 to 2006 1991 to 2006 1996 to 2006 2001 to 2006
     Empty cell percentage change
    Commercial fertilizer  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 894,782 924,633 817,762 892,841 856,273 819,007 ... -8.5 -11.4 0.2 -8.3 -4.4
    Hectares .. 362,105 374,186 330,937 361,320 346,521 331,440 ... -8.5 -11.4 0.2 -8.3 -4.4
    Farms reporting .. 10,035 10,044 8,725 9,312 8,219 7,172 ... -28.5 -28.6 -17.8 -23.0 -12.7
    Percentage of total farms ... 50.1 52.7 45.4 42.6 40.5 36.1 ... -27.9 -31.5 -20.5 -15.3 -10.9
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 89 92 94 96 104 114 ... 28.1 23.9 21.3 18.8 9.6
    Herbicides1  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. 299,379 348,830 312,520 352,785 368,820 380,295 ... 27.0 9.0 21.7 7.8 3.1
    Hectares .. 121,154 141,166 126,472 142,767 149,256 153,900 ... 27.0 9.0 21.7 7.8 3.1
    Farms reporting .. 3,739 4,794 4,085 4,570 4,547 4,109 ... 9.9 -14.3 0.6 -10.1 -9.6
    Percentage of total farms ... 18.7 25.1 21.2 20.9 22.4 20.7 ... 10.7 -17.5 -2.4 -1.0 -7.6
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... 80 73 77 77 81 93 ... 16.3 27.4 20.8 20.8 14.8
    Insecticides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 65,101 68,664 73,938 ... ... ... ... 13.6 7.7
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 26,345 27,787 29,922 ... ... ... ... 13.6 7.7
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 3,074 2,723 2,242 ... ... ... ... -27.1 -17.7
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 14.1 13.4 11.3 ... ... ... ... -19.9 -15.7
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 21 25 33 ... ... ... ... 57.1 32.0
    Fungicides1,2  Empty cell  Empty cell
    Acres .. .. .. .. 61,851 60,281 61,811 ... ... ... ... -0.1 2.5
    Hectares .. .. .. .. 25,030 24,395 25,014 ... ... ... ... -0.1 2.5
    Farms reporting .. .. .. .. 2,620 2,332 1,948 ... ... ... ... -25.6 -16.5
    Percentage of total farms ... ... ... ... 12.0 11.5 9.8 ... ... ... ... -18.3 -14.8
    Average area in acres per farm reporting ... ... ... ... 24 26 32 ... ... ... ... 33.3 23.1

    Symbols

    • x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
    • 0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
    • xxfor confidentiality reasons, data have been combined with those of the preceding size class
    • .. not available for a specific reference period
    • ...not applicable

    Notes

    The data for land management practices are reported for the year preceding the census year.

    1. Since 1996, the area of land that was treated with herbicides, insecticides and fungicides was under-reported. Some respondents reported chemical expenses but not any corresponding areas to which these chemicals were applied. Telephone follow-up with a sample of these respondents confirmed that some respondents had mistakenly reported for the current year instead of the previous year as requested and, when they completed their questionnaires for 1996 to 2006, the chemicals purchased had not yet been applied.
    2. The data since 1996 pertain to the area of land on which only insecticides were used. The 1996 to 2006 questionnaires had two separate questions on the area of land on which insecticides were used and the area on which fungicides were used. In 1981, 1986 and 1991, however, a single question asked for the area on which insecticides and fungicides were applied to the same land. Therefore, the sum of responses to the 1996 to 2006 questions is not comparable to responses to the single question in previous censuses.

    Source

    Statistics Canada, Census of Agriculture.