Why was the Census of Agriculture taken on May 15, such a busy time for farmers?
Statistics Canada recognizes that this is a very busy time for farmers; however, to save millions of dollars, the Census of Agriculture is conducted at the same time as the Census of Population. Census day is the second Tuesday in May, so the drop-off and mail-back of census forms could take place during the same month with less likelihood of census forms being misplaced during month-end moves. This time of year is also preferable for hiring the large workforce needed to carry out a census as well as having safer and more favourable weather conditions to carry out the work. This translates into reduced costs for the collection of census data.
