In 2014, the Earth Observation Team of the Science and Technology Branch (STB) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) repeated the process of generating annual crop inventory digital maps using satellite imagery to for all of Canada, in support of a national crop inventory. A Decision Tree (DT) based methodology was applied using optical (Landsat-8) and radar (RADARSAT-2) based satellite images, and having a final spatial resolution of 30m. In conjunction with satellite acquisitions, ground-truth information was provided by provincial crop insurance companies and point observations from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and our regional AAFC colleagues.

The Canada Land Inventory (CLI), 1 100,000, Land Capability and Limitation for Agriculture dataset illustrates the varying potential of a specific area for agricultural production. Classes of land capability for agriculture are based on mineral soils grouped according to their potential and limitations for agricultural use. The classes indicate the degree of limitation imposed by the soil in its use for mechanized agriculture. The subclasses indicate the kinds of limitations that individually or in combination with others, are affecting agricultural land use. Characteristics of the soil as determined by soil surveys.

The “Biomass Inventory Cartographic Layer” dataset provides the information that is used with the Biomass Report Framework to generate a visual representation of the availability of agricultural and forestry biomass and municipal solid waste in Canada. In addition to yield and production information for biomass produced by the agricultural and forestry industries, this dataset also provides information about the demand for agricultural residues for cattle feed and bedding, tillage systems currently in use on agricultural lands, and land suitability for hybrid poplar and willow plantations that are grown specifically to produce biomass. Agricultural information includes the median annual residue yield and available residue amounts. Residue yields were calculated using crop-to-residue ratios. The available residue information includes the amount that is available after adjusting for the estimated demand of straw used for cattle feed and bedding. Forestry estimates include average residue production, based on forestry activities including permitted amounts of harvesting, mills in operation and mill production. Municipal Solid Waste information includes organic waste (food and yard), paper waste and total residential municipal solid waste (which includes organic and paper waste, among others).

This data shows spatial density of oats cultivation in Canada. Regions with higher calculated spatial densities represent agricultural regions of Canada in which oats are more expected. Results are provided as rasters with numerical values for each pixel indicating the spatial density calculated for that location. Higher spatial density values represent higher likelihood to have oats based on analysis of the 2009 to 2021 AAFC annual crop inventory data.

This data series was compiled by AAFC and Statistics Canada using a combination of agroclimate data and satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data for the current growing season. The forecast is made based on a statistical model using historical yield, climate and NDVI data.

Environmental Monitoring Program data for aquaculture.

This data shows spatial density of Barley cultivation in Canada. Regions with higher calculated spatial densities represent agricultural regions of Canada in which Barley is more expected. Results are provided as rasters with numerical values for each pixel indicating the spatial density calculated for that location. Higher spatial density values represent higher likelihood to have Barley based on analysis of the 2009 to 2021 AAFC annual crop inventory data.

In British Columbia, there are over 100 Livestock Districts, Bull Control Areas and Pound Districts established by regulation under the Livestock Act. Livestock Districts, with minor exceptions, are areas where livestock may run at large within the district boundaries. Bull Control Areas are areas within Livestock District, in which Bull Control Committees may make rules respecting the number, breed, breeding, quality and age of bulls allowed to run at large. Pound Districts are areas where keepers, peace officers and others may impound animals at large, and allow for the sale of unclaimed impounded animals and the reimbursement of the keeper. The regulations are published in the British Columbia Gazette Part II. The current Index of Current B.C. Regulations provides a complete list. Search Orders in Council from http://BCLaws.ca to view related Orders in Council including metes and bounds descriptions.

A series of relevant spatial datasets were compiled to construct an Agricultural Potential Index model which combines multiple criteria that influence agricultural suitability.  For more information on the Agriculutural Potential Index Model, please see the metadata link.

The “Biomass Agriculture Inventory 1-in-10 Probability” dataset is a table that contains the estimated 1-in-10 year low for agricultural residue yield and crop production for each Biomass Report Framework. It provides the tenth percentile values for the years 1985-2016. The table includes straw or stover information for barley, wheat, flax, oats and corn, and crop information for barley, wheat, flax, oats, corn, canola and soybean. This dataset also includes information about the type of tillage used in the area and demand for straw for cattle bedding and feed. These values are derived from Statistics Canada data. Additionally, the dataset includes the amount of agricultural residue calculated as necessary to remain on the field to prevent soil degradation. Soil degradation is determined by the type of tillage in use as well as the landscape of the area.