Forage Seed Usage Survey

Detailed information for July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012

Status:

Active

Frequency:

Annual

Record number:

3442

This survey is conducted to better evaluate trends in the usage of improved forage seeds varieties.

Data release - March 8, 2013

Description

The survey collects data on forage seed shipped during the year. These data are used by seed trade and professional associations to better evaluate trends in usage of forage seed and for the purpose of market share analysis.

Reference period: July 1st to June 30

Collection period: mid-October to end of January

Subjects

  • Agriculture and food (formerly Agriculture)
  • Crops and horticulture

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population for the Forage Seed Usage Survey includes all known wholesalers of forage seed (approximately 60) in Canada. The list is updated occasionally from industry sources.

Instrument design

The questionnaire was developed by subject matter specialists through consultation with industry experts. Questions will be changed, added or removed as the need arises. Required changes are usually identified through such means as subject matter specialist research and changes in market trends.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all units of the target population, therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

The survey is mailed out once a year. In the cases of non-response, telephone follow-up is used. Respondents mail or fax back the completed survey.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

Questionnaires are verified manually and compared to previous year's reporting. Questionable data is verified by telephone follow-up.

Imputation

Imputation is done by using data from the firm's previous responses.

Estimation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Quality evaluation

Disseminated data are subject to a certain degree of error such as incorrect information from respondents or mistakes introduced during processing. Reasonable efforts are made to ensure such errors are kept within acceptable limits through careful questionnaire design, editing of data for inconsistencies and subsequent follow-up and quality control of manual processing operations.

Data quality is maintained by editing techniques that are very rigorous. Data discrepancies are either scrutinized by professional staff or the company(ies) involved are contacted.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

This methodology does not apply to this survey.

Data accuracy

While considerable effort is made to ensure high standards throughout all stages of collection and processing, the resulting estimates are inevitable subject to a certain degree of non-sampling error. Examples of non-sampling error are coverage error, data response error, non-response error and processing error.

Data response error may be due to questionnaire design, the characteristics of a question, inability of unwillingness of the respondent to provide correct information, misinterpretation of the questions or definitional problems. These errors are controlled through careful questionnaire design and the use of simple concepts and consistency checks.

Non-response error is related to respondents that may refuse to answer, are unable to respond or are too late in reporting. In these cases, the data are imputed. The extent on any imputation error decreases with increases in the response rate and attempts are made to obtain as high a response rate as possible. The final response rate for this survey is about 80%. Analysts keep in contact with respondents and related industry associations to maintain a high response rate.

Processing error may occur at various stages of processing such as data entry, editing and tabulation. Measures have been taken to minimize these errors. Data entry and edit are performed simultaneously due to the spreadsheet design which allow errors to be seen quickly. Historical ratios also aid in eliminating outliers created by data entry. Tabulation is automated to eliminate human error.

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