CRSC Canadian Grain Producer Survey 2017
A survey of 1600 Canadian grains, oilseeds and pulse producers
The CRSC contracted Stratus Ag Research to undertake a survey of Canadian grain producers regarding relevant sustainability practices. The survey was conducted with 1608 grain producers respondents from BC/Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Only producers farming 1,000 acres of more in the West, and 200 acres or more in the East, were included in the survey. The survey was representative of grain producers in each province surveyed in that size category. The "Canada" number was calculated by aggregating provincial results, recognizing that a small percentage of grain producers (located in the Atlantic provinces) were not surveyed.
Respondents were given a choice of numerical responses from 1 through to 5. "Always" was identified as 1; "never" as 5, numbers 2 to 4 were not identified as to frequency. For purposes of reporting, 2 has been deemed to be "often", 3 as "sometimes" and 4 as "rarely". Respondents were also offered the choice of "Not applicable to my farm", which has been reported as NA.
The featured charts include all responses from 1 through to 5, as well as those indicating NA. In the texts of the sustainability reports and the summary at the bottom of the charts, NA responses have been excluded, and the percentages recalculated.
An Excel Pivot Table showing all results for all questions will be provided to CRSC members upon request. CRSC members interested in receiving this report please send your request to: execdir@sustainablecrops.ca
Data Exhibits
What data can we help you find?
Sorry, no results. Please try another query.
CHART
Add Organic Matter to Soils
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you add organic matter to soil?", - 51.2 % of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 35.4% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program Through Ag-Retailer
2017
|
Download CSV
Have you adopted the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program?
CHART
Apply Nutrients Based On Soil Tests
2017
|
Download CSV
""Do you conduct regular soil sampling and apply fertilizer or manure and other organic fertilizers up to the rate required by the crop and based on soil test results?" - 64.5% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 15% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Bringing New Land into Production
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you avoid bringing into production land that has not been previously cropped, including all primary forest, wetland, peatland and native grasslands or other native exo-systems?" - 42.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 29.0% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Fall Tillage to Maintain Crop Residue
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you avoid fall tillage so the crop residue cover is retained to trap snow and prevent soil erosion during the fall, winter and spring?" - 61.6% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 18.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Irrigating Soon After a Crop Protection Product Application
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you avoid irrigating soon after a crop protection product application?” – 76.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 11.1% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Nutrient Applications on Frozen Ground
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you always avoid applying fertilizers or manure onto frozen or snow-covered ground?” - 82.3% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 8.9% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Nutrient Contamination of Water Sources
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you apply fertilizer away from water sources such as streams, rivers, wells and dugouts and at a distance recommended for your region?" - 82% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 5.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Avoid Over-Application of Crop Protection Products
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you monitor weeds, diseases, and insect pests and avoid over-application of crop protection products?” – 88.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 1.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Calculate Key Metrics of Farm Level Financial Performance
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you calculate and record core metrics of financial performance for your farm such as net worth, net income, statement of cash flows, statement of owner equity?" - 73.1% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 11.1% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Calibrate Fertilizer Application Equipment
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you check fertilizer application equipment at least once per job to make sure it is working properly and is properly calibrated?" - 86.2 % of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 3.5% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Clean Spray Equipment Away from Water Sources
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you wash out spray equipment away from water sources such as streams, rivers, wells and dugouts, and at a distance recommended for your region?” – 92.7% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 1.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Crop Production Information - Method of Maintaining Records
2017
|
Download CSV
Please indicate how you maintain records of your crop production practices on each field.
CHART
Crop Production Information - Types of Information Maintained
2017
|
Download CSV
What types of information about crop production practices do you keep?
CHART
Eliminate Crop Residue Burning
2017
|
Download CSV
"Have you eliminated crop residue burning on your farm?" - 72.1% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 18.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Existence of Environmental Farm Plan
2017
|
Download CSV
"Have you prepared an environmental farm plan?"
CHART
Familiarity with 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program
2017
|
Download CSV
"How familiar are you with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program?"
CHART
Field Record Keeping - yes/no
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you keep records of your crop production practices on a field-by-field basis?"
CHART
Frequency of Environmental Farm Plan Updates
2017
|
Download CSV
"How often have you updated your environmental farm plan?"
CHART
Identify Health and Safety Risks
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you identify health and safety risks posed to all workers and to prevent accidents, injuries and health issues associated with the work?" - 70.5% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 9.0% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Keep Records of Costs of Production
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you keep up-to-date records on cost of production and use it for management decisions" - 67.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 11.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Keep Up-To-Date Employment Records
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you keep up-to-date employment records to provide an accurate overview of all employees (including seasonal workers and subcontracted workers), including contact information and salaries?" - 53.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 26.2% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Leave Crop Residue on Soil Surface
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you leave crop residue on the soil surface by adopting no-till, strip cropping and reducing the number of tillage passes over your fields?" - 78% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Maintain Fertilizer Application Records
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you complete records of all fertilizer applications on you farm when available (including where applied, what nutrient applied, at what rates and when it was applied?" - 69.6% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 12.9% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Maintain Good Relationships with Neighbours and the Local Community
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you maintain good relationships with neighbours and the community where your farm operates and address complaints when they arise?" - 66.3% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 12.2% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Maintain Shelter Belts Along Field Borders
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you maintain shelter belts and plant tree windbreaks along field borders"? - 36.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 39.6% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Maintain Soil Quality Records Based on Soil Tests
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you conduct regular soil sampling and mantain soil quality records?” – 58% of Canadian grain crop producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 18% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Maintain Surface Drains with Grassed Waterways
2017
|
Download CSV
'Do you maintain existing surface drains with grassed waterways as appropriate for your farm and have no further development of surface drains?" - 48.9% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 23.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Measure Profitability by Field and Crop
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you ensure sufficient data is recorded, available and maintained annually to measure profitability by field and crop?" - 62.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 16.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Most Recent Year Environmental Farm Plan Completed
2017
|
Download CSV
When was your most recent environmental plan completed?
CHART
Pest Identification and Prevention Measures
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you accurately identify weeds, diseases, and insect pests and use control methods that focus on prevention of outbreaks specific to that weed, disease or insect?” – 89% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 13.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Prepare Pest Management Plan that Includes Non-Chemical Pest Control Methods
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you prepare a plan for integrated management techniques for your farm (for example spraying only at economic thresholds, identification and monitoring of beneficial insects, use of crop rotation, or other integrated weed, disease, and insect pest management strategies) to holistically manage weeds, diseases, and insect pest outbreaks?” – 70.6% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 9.6% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Provide Personal Protective Equipment for Handling of Crop Protection Products
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you provide personal protective equipment (e.g. coveralls, gloves, eye protection) for everyone who handles or is exposed to crop protection products?" - 78.7% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 7.8% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Provide Training for Safe Use of Crop Protection Products
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you provide instructions and training for everyone who handles or is exposed to crop protection products?" - 74.7% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 8.9% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Records of Crop Protection Product Applications
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you record crop protection product applications (where they are applied, when they were applied, what product was applied, how much was applied, who applied it and the weather conditions when applied)?” – 71.7% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 11.6% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you examine farm practices and equipment that consume fossil fuels and seek practices and alternatives to reduce consumption?" - 55% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 18.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Reduce Number of Tillage Operations
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you reduce the number of tillage practices by direct seeding or zero tillage or by using reduced tillage?" - 83% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Reduced Tillage Practices
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you adopt no-till or reduced tillage practices where aligned with overall cropping obejctives?" - 80.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 7.4% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Refer to Weed, Disease, and Insect Forecasting Tools When Available
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you refer to weed, disease, and insect forecasting tools, when they are available?” – 82.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 4.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Resources Available to Deal with Accidental Contamination
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you make resources available to deal with accidental operator contamination, including first aid kits, eye wash stations?" - 59.8% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 17.6% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Rotate Chemical Groups to Prevent Pest Resistance
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you rotate chemical groups to prevent the development of resistant weed, disease, and insect populations on your farm?” – 95.1% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 2.2% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Scout Fields, Assess Problems & Economic Threshold, Apply Pesticides Only As Needed
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you use timely and regular field scouting to accurately assess your crop and your weed, disease, and insect problems and to determine economic threshold levels, so you can apply pesticides only when and where they are needed?” – 90.6% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 1.1% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Store Fertilizer in Secure Structure Away From Water Sources
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you store fertilizers in a secure, dry structure away from water sources, such as streams, rivers, wells and dugouts, and at a distance recommended for your region?" - 94.3% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 1.3% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Take Steps to Protect Endangered Species
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you know of any species at risk on your farm and undertake actions that could preserve these species at risk?" - 35.7% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 39% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Tillage Practices (% of crop land)
2017
|
Download CSV
What percent of your total crop acres in 2016 used each of the following tillage practices?
CHART
Tillage Practices (% of producers)
2017
|
Download CSV
Results were obtained from responses to the following question: "What percent of your total crop acres in 2016 used each of the following tillage practices?"
CHART
Use Designated Container Disposal Facilities
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you dispose of empty crop protection product containers only at designated locations and according to the procedures recommended?” – 88.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 4.1% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Use Effective Crop Rotations
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you rotate crops with a variety of crop species, including forages, legumes and cereals, and plant cover crops?" - 69.4% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 13.9% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Use Implements that Minimize Soil Disturbance
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you use implements that bury less residue and reduce soil disturbance?" - 76% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 10% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Use of Precision Agriculture Technologies
2017
|
Download CSV
"Which of the following technologies did you use on your farm in 2016?"
CHART
Use Recommended Rates of Crop Protection Products and Pre-Harvest Intervals
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you follow the label recommendations for authorized rates and pre-harvest intervals for the registered crop protection products used on your farm?” - 95.1% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 1.1% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Variable Rate Application of Fertilizer
2017
|
Download CSV
"Do you use Variable Rate Technology for the application of fertilizer?" - 27.0% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 57.6% responded “occasionally” or “never”.
CHART
Wide Buffer Zones Around Sensitive Areas
2017
|
Download CSV
“Do you leave wide buffer zones around environmentally sensitive areas, including any streams, rivers, wells and dugouts on your farm?” – 76.2% of Canadian grain producers responded “usually” or “always”, and 7.7% responded “occasionally” or “never”.