Statistical Clearing House

Apples and Pears, Year Ending March 1998

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• Overview *** You are here ***
• Contact Information
  
• Summary
  
• Reference Period & Frequency
  
• Response Rates
  
• Clearance Information
• Quality Framework
• A. General Information
• B. User Requirements, Survey Objectives and Budget
• C. Alternative Sources of Data
• D. Data Outputs
• E. Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
• F. Respondent Load
• G. Population / Frame
• H. Sample Design
• I. Estimation and Analysis

Overview

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Contact Information

	Portfolio:	Treasurer
	Agency:	ABS - Australian Bureau of Statistics
	Contact Person...	Name:	Geoff Heffernan
		Email:	geoff.heffernan@abs.gov.au
		Phone:	02 6252 5339 (International +61)

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Summary

The apple and pear collection has been conducted as a supplementary collection to the Agricultural Census, with the questionnaire being sent to all respondents reporting apple and/or pear trees. The collection asks for varietal information on apple and pear trees numbers and production for the season. The data is collected on behalf of the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association (AAPGA) and Apple and Pear levy paying producers. The industry requires estimates of tree numbers by age and production by variety at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level. The data provide the basis for policy development by State and Federal government departments and by industry associations. The latter use ABS data to support research activities to improve the performance of the industry and for gaining government support for industry development programs.

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Reference Period & Frequency

	Reference Period:	Year Ending March 1998
	Frequency:	Annual

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Response Rates

			As planned	Actual
	Number of businesses...
	Contacted:		1900	Not available
	Live and in scope:		1710	Not available
	Responding:		1573	Not available
	Average time to complete questionnaire:		30 mins	Not available
	Statistics...
	Response rate:		92%	Not available

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Clearance Information

	Survey reviewed by
	Stat. Clearing House:	Year Ending March 1998
	Status:	Approved
	Approval period:	Year ending March 1998
	For additional clearance information, please contact the Statistical Clearing House by phone, fax, post or email.

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Apples and Pears, Year Ending March 1998

Quality Framework
This data quality framework has been published internationally (Brackstone G., Managing Data Quality in a Statistical Agency, (1999) Survey Methodology, Vol. 25, no. 2, Statistics Canada) and has been recommended by the ANAO as 'better practice' in specifying performance measures (ATO Performance Reporting under the Outcomes and Outputs Framework, Australian Taxation Office, Audit Report No.46 2000-01, pp63-64.) on advice from the ABS Statistical Consultancy Unit.

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Relevance

The relevance of statistical information reflects the degree to which it meets the needs of the clients. It is usually described in terms of key user needs, key concepts and classifications used, the scope of the collection and the reference period.

Why do you need to conduct a survey? (B1)

The data provide the basis for policy development by State and Federal government departments and by industry associations. The latter use ABS data to support research activities to improve the performance of the industry and for gaining government support for industry development programs.

How will the survey meet this need? That is, what are the objectives of the survey in terms of content and constraints? (B2)

The apple and pear collection has been conducted as a supplementary collection to the Agricultural Census, with the questionnaire being sent to all respondents reporting apple and/or pear trees. The collection asks for varietal information on apple and pear trees numbers and production for the season. The data is collected on behalf of the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association (AAPGA) and Apple and Pear levy paying producers. The industry requires estimates of tree numbers by age and production by variety at the Statistical Local Area (SLA) level.

What are the principal outputs or data items to be produced? (D1)

The main output consists of varietal data at different levels of aggregation. This includes commodity totals and commodity counts.

The main varietal outputs are:

Number of trees at 31 March 1998

- under 1 year old

- 1 to 5 years old

- 6 years old and over

Fresh fruit harvested

Other questions asked:

Total quantity of fruit that went to processing

- apples

- pears

Cool storage capacity

- controlled atmosphere

- other cool storage

Time taken to complete the form

Comments

How are the results of the survey to be analysed? (I6)

The data will be analysed through the production of tables of data items.

What consideration has been given to the use of standards? Please specify. (D2)

a. Geography.

• The ASGC is the main geographic classification used.
• Data is available at the all levels (State, AER and SD and SLA).

b. Industry

• The ANZSIC is the only classification used.

c. Commodities

• Each commodity is given a unique commodity code number (CCN).
• Most commodities will have the same CCN which allows for comparison over time.
CCN is an internal ABS classification system. For a particular, well-defined commodity, the CCN does not vary between collections. This enables historical comparisons of commodity data and aggregates of commodity data.

What is the target population for the survey? (G1)

All establishments who are involved in the growing of Apples or Pears and have an Estimated Value of Agricultural Operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more.

How is the frame for the survey to be obtained? (G2)

ABS Business Register

The Apples and Pears collection is sent to all respondents who have an EVAO of $5000 or more, and who are on the frame for the 1998 ACS, and who indicated apple or pear trees on the 1997 Agricultural Census or their 1998 Agricultural Commodity Survey (ACS). Exception: respondents who had trees in 1997 but have no trees shown on their 1998 ACS return are excluded. In addition, attempts are made to exclude respondents who grow apples and pears for domestic use only.

What is the type of unit on the frame to be used for the survey? (G3)

Establishment unit

What is (are) the method(s) of collecting the data (eg self-completion, telephone interviewing, face to face interviewing, etc)? Why was it (were they) chosen? (E2)

mailout/mailback (paper form)

A mailed questionnaire is used to collect the data from approximately 1900 respondents.

To what reference period(s) does the survey refer? (A7)

Seasonal Year

Reference varies according to commodity. Tree numbers are as of 31/3/98, while production is based on the 98 season.

Is the survey going to be conducted once only or repeated? (A8)

Repeated

With what frequency is the survey to be repeated? (A9)

Annually

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Accessibility



The accessibility of statistical information refers to the ease with which it can be referenced by users. It includes the ease with which the existence of information can be ascertained, as well as the suitability of the form or medium through which the information can be accessed.

How are the results of the survey to be made available to the major users? (I7)

The Apples and Pears collection contributes to Australian and State agricultural compendia and to:

7116.0 - Ag Stats on Magnetic Tape
7117.0 - AgStats on floppy disk
7117.0.30.001 AgStats on CD-ROM
- A regional profile product offering small area commodity statistics for all States and Territories. The data include information on livestock numbers and area and production of crops and pastures.

Integrated Regional Database (IRDB)

Data is available through information consultancies using AgStats, mainframe files or other sources of material. These can be provided by ALOs (Agricultural Liaison Officers), information consultancy staff in each state, or staff in Data Management Section in Hobart NPC, and staff in Central Office.

Which agency and area is responsible for the survey? (A2)

ABS
Agriculture & Mining

Who is the survey manager and principal contact person for survey clearance? (A3)

Geoff Heffernan

What commitments have been made to preserve the confidentiality of respondents? How will these be implemented? (F3)

The confidentiality of information collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is protected by the secrecy provisions of the Census and Statistics Act 1905. Rules on minimum number of contributors per output cell, and concentration of particular respondent contribution to the cell, apply.

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Timeliness



The timeliness of statistical information refers to the delay between the reference point to which it pertains and the date on which the information becomes available.

To what reference peiod(s) does the survey refer? (A7)

Seasonal Year

Reference varies according to commodity. Tree numbers are as of 31/3/98, while production is based on the 98 season.

What is the timetable for the survey? (B3)

Despatch 28/8/98
Enumeration 1/9/98 to 27/11/98
Complete output edit 23/12/98
Clean data to client 12/2/98

Testing is not required as the form is only an update of a previous collection. No new questions are included.

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Accuracy



The accuracy of statistical information is the degree to which the information correctly describes the phenomena it was designed to measure. It includes measures of both sampling and non-sampling error.

What is the total sample size and how has it been set? (H2)

The census population is approximately 1900.

For the current season and the next three, the Agricultural Census will be replaced by the Agricultural Commodity Survey (ACS). With the change to the ACS, the Australian Horticultural Corporation has chosen to maintain a census of Apple and Pear respondents rather than a sample.

What sources of non-sampling error could have a significant impact on survey results and what is being done about them? (I4)

The key quality problems of the collection are:

Owner/operator information - obtain different business structure from the front of the form.

Mis-reporting of data items.

Non-response.

Editing procedures include Hot Deck Imputation and Clerical Imputation

This collection does not use New Business Provisions.

Population counts are changed as new births and deaths to the population are detected.

Of the total sample size reported in H2, how many units are expected to respond, and how many units are expected to be defunct (ie no longer in business) or out of scope? (H6)

Results for 1998 are expected to be similar to the following approximate figures for 1997 (obtained by a manual check of deathed records):

Total Despatch 1927
Cancelled 101
Duplicates 15
Change of owners 21
Out of scope 30
Ceased operations 42
Untraceable 8

"Out of scope" can include respondents who incorrectly showed apples or pears on their Ag Census/survey form, or who grow apples or pears for domestic use only. These are usually identified by comments on the back of the form.

92% response rate for this collection.

What allowances have been made for known frame deficiencies in the sample design? (H7)

Not applicable

What allowances have been made for expected non-response in the sample design? (H8)

Not applicable

In what ways does the coverage provided by the frame differ from the target population? (G6)

The frame may include respondents who have made an error in reporting apples or pears on the ACS form, or who have removed their trees or sold the orchard or farm in the period between answering the ACS and answering the Apple and Pear Supp. There may also be duplications on the frame. In the 1997 survey, 101 forms were cancelled during the enumeration period for such reasons. Figures for 1998 will be approximately the same, but efforts to improve coverage are on-going.

What quality control procedures will there be for data entry and coding? (I2)

The type of checks done prior to data entry include a minor clerical scan of the form and recontact the respondent where necessary.

The versions of the Survey Data File stored are: Publication version, SDF is continually updated. Regular backups stored.

Batch edits include logical, comparative and range edits. Amendments overwrite original data. Priority in batch editing is given to fatal edits (e.g. production but no trees). Query edits involving large units are also high-priority.

Significance editing is especially important during aggregate editing, and involves historical comparisons (area and production) and checks of current year yields. These are ranked by importance to contribution to estimates.

What testing of the questionnaire(s) has (have) taken place? (E4)

None - there are no new questions on the form this year.

What other consultations have taken place with businesses or business associations regarding availability of data items and data collection methods? (E5)

Negotiation with industry and industry associations is done by the Australian Horticultural Corporation (AHC), which acts on behalf of the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association Inc (AAPGA) and Apple and Pear levy paying producers.

How many units are there on the frame? (G4)

The 1996-97 collection population totalled 1927 forms. Numbers are expected to be similar for 1998.

What evidence is there that the expected respondents will be representative of non-respondents? (H9)

Not applicable

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Interpretability



The interpretability of statistical information reflects the availability of the supplementary information and metadata necessary to interpret and utilise it appropriately. It includes appropriate presentation of data such that it aids correction interpretation.

How are the results of the survey to be made available to the major users? (I7)

The Apples and Pears collection contributes to Australian and State agricultural compendia and to:

7116.0 - Ag Stats on Magnetic Tape
7117.0 - AgStats on floppy disk
7117.0.30.001 AgStats on CD-ROM
- A regional profile product offering small area commodity statistics for all States and Territories. The data include information on livestock numbers and area and production of crops and pastures.

Integrated Regional Database (IRDB)

Data is available through information consultancies using AgStats, mainframe files or other sources of material. These can be provided by ALOs (Agricultural Liaison Officers), information consultancy staff in each state, or staff in Data Management Section in Hobart NPC, and staff in Central Office.

What sample design will be used, eg stratified simple random sample? (H1)

Not applicable - Census

What stratification has been used in the sample design? (H3)

Not applicable

What allowances have been made for known frame deficiencies in the sample design? (H7)

Not applicable

What allowances have been made for expected non-response in the sample design? (H8)

Not applicable

Will outliers be identified, and, if so, how will they be handled? (I3)

Unexpected results are handled by normal editing procedures (check of form, contact with respondent).

Will data be aggregated into statistical tables, and if so what are the estimation formulae for the principal output data items? (I5)

Data will be aggregated into statistical tables.

Estimation: n/a

What sources of non-sampling error could have a significant impact on survey results and what is being done about them? (I4)

The key quality problems of the collection are:

Owner/operator information - obtain different business structure from the front of the form.

Mis-reporting of data items.

Non-response.

Editing procedures include Hot Deck Imputation and Clerical Imputation

This collection does not use New Business Provisions.

Population counts are changed as new births and deaths to the population are detected.

How are the results of the survey to be analysed? (I6)

The data will be analysed through the production of tables of data items.

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Coherence



The coherence of statistical information reflects the degree to which it can be successfully brought together with other statistical information within a broad analytical framework and over time. The use of concepts, classifications and target populations promotes coherence, as does the use of common methodology across surveys.

Is the survey a new survey or a cycle of an existing repeated survey? (A6)

a cycle of an existing repeated survey

Is the survey to be conducted once only or repeated? (A8)

Repeated

With what frequency is the survey to be repeated? (A9)

Annually

How will the frame be updated for future survey cycles? (G7)

Feedback from the Agricultural Census or Agricultural Commodity Survey (ACS) is the main source of frame updating. Association lists are used wherever possible to improve coverage.

What consideration has been given to making data items consistent between survey cycles or across surveys? (D3)

Most commodities will have the same CCN which allows for comparison over time.

What alternative sources of data have been considered? (C1)

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) collects tree numbers and production figures in the surveys:

AAGIS - Australian Agricultural and Grazing Industries Survey

ADIS - Australian Dairy Industry Survey

In what respects are these alternative sources insufficient? (C2)

ABARE's surveys do not include specialist apple and pear producers nor does it include varietal data on a regular basis. ABARE surveys are smaller and voluntary, raising concerns about response rates and consequent bias.

What consideration has been given to the use of standards? Please specify. (D2)

a. Geography.

• The ASGC is the main geographic classification used.
• Data is available at the all levels (State, AER and SD and SLA).

b. Industry

• The ANZSIC is the only classification used.

c. Commodities

• Each commodity is given a unique commodity code number (CCN).
• Most commodities will have the same CCN which allows for comparison over time.
CCN is an internal ABS classification system. For a particular, well-defined commodity, the CCN does not vary between collections. This enables historical comparisons of commodity data and aggregates of commodity data.

What consideration has been given to working with other agencies to make their data more suited to your needs? (C3)

None at this stage for the Apples and Pears collection specifically, though discussions with other agencies on all aspects of agricultural collections are ongoing.

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