Farm Financial Survey (FFS)

Summary of changes

Activity on this program started: 1981

Reference period of change - 2019

The collection period for the 2019 reference year was pushed back to October 2020. The release date was also rescheduled to April, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reference period of change - 2017

Starting with reference year 2017, when non-response occurs, it is taken into account and the quality is reduced based on its importance to the estimate. Also, total survey non responses are also fully imputed. Imputation is done mainly through donor imputation where the value is taken from a similar record in terms of farm size, farm type and region. Some new questions have been added related to business risk management.

Reference period of change - 2015

Beginning with the 2015 reference year, Statistics Canada will use, whenever possible, data from tax forms, which respondents have submitted to the Canada Revenue Agency, to replace 18 questions on revenues and expenses.

Reference period of change - 2013

Target population - As of the 2013 reference year, farms with less than $25,000 in sales from agricultural activities are excluded from the target population.

Reference period of change - 2011

The frequency of this survey was changed from annual to biennial.

As of the 2011 reference year, the sample is drawn from a new frame based on the 2011 Census of Agriculture.

Reference period of change - 2009

In 2009, land use data were not collected.

Reference period of change - 2007

As of the 2007 reference year, the sample is drawn from a new frame based on the 2006 Census of Agriculture.

Reference period of change - 2002

The Farm Financial Survey became an annual survey in 2002. Previously, the survey took place every two years.

As of reference year 2002, farm type is based on the 2002 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). In previous years, the 1980 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) had been used for collection and publication.

Sampling - As of the 2002 reference year, the sample is drawn from a new frame based on the 2001 Census of Agriculture.

Reference period of change - 1997

In 1993, the Farm Financial Survey (FFS) was created to replace the Farm Credit Corporation Survey (FCC). Since 1981, the FCC Survey had been conducted on an ad-hoc basis by the Farm Credit Corporation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Statistics Canada. The Farm Credit Corporation withdrew from this project, but there was still a need for AAFC and Statistics Canada to maintain a similar survey on a regular basis.

Target population - Farms with less than $10,000 in sales from agricultural activities are excluded from the target population.