| | Purpose of survey
To address some of the data gaps and information needs of the beekeeping industry in Alberta, each year the Statistics and Data Development (SADD) Unit conducts a survey of beekeepers in the province. In particular, the survey is used to assist in the generation of provincial and regional estimates for selected honey variables (e.g. colony numbers, yield, production, etc.). Information captured from the survey includes data on colony numbers, yield, production and prices, and constitutes the basis for the estimates. These are used with information from other sources, to derive the provincial and regional estimates. Furthermore, estimates generated at both provincial and regional levels, along with the survey results, are shared with survey participants, industry and other stakeholders. As well, the provincial estimates on production, yield and colony numbers are forwarded to Statistics Canada, as part of a federal/provincial agreement, for incorporation into the honey statistics at the national level.
This report focuses on the results of the Alberta 2005 Beekeepers' Survey and the related estimates generated.
Methodology
The Alberta Beekeepers' Survey, which is provincial in scope, collects data through a non-probability sampling procedure. In November 2005, survey questionnaires were mailed out to 491 beekeepers across the province. The questionnaires specifically asked survey participants to provide, at their earliest convenience, information on colony numbers, production, yield, bee purchases, prices (expected/actual), carry-over stocks and selected management practices, for their related beekeeping operation in 2005.
Survey participants were made aware that participating in the survey was voluntary. Moreover, all individual responses are kept confidential under the provisions of the Statistics Act of Canada, as well as under the Provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, by which the SADD Unit is governed and operates. In return for their participation, survey participants who were interested, were given the Unit's publication highlighting the results of the 2005 Beekeepers' Survey, the related provincial and regional estimates, and selected historical honey statistics. As of August 2006, a total of 256 usable questionnaires were received and formed part of the basis in the generation of the Alberta 2005 honey production estimates.
Survey responses received were reviewed for data completeness, validated and entered into an electronic database. The data was then subjected to some computerized analyses, the results of which were rolled up into group summaries, to preserve data confidentiality of individual survey respondents. In turn, the group summaries, in conjunction with input from industry and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD) subject area/provincial specialists, were used to generate provincial and regional estimates on the number of producers, colonies, yield and production.
It should be noted that the derived estimates are subject to error. Some of the possible causes of error include data coding, data entry, editing and tabulation. Nonetheless, we believe that the statistics published in this report are reliable estimates for Alberta.
For further information on the survey results, please contact:
John Paul Emunu
Statistics and Data Development Branch
Economics and Competitiveness Division
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Phone: 780-644-1308; Fax 780-427-5220
E-mail: john.paul.emunu@gov.ab.ca
For a complete copy of this report download the .pdf file. |
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