Agriculture, forestry and hunting

Agriculture

Sources and publications

Descriptions of agricultural conditions, some of them accompanied by statistics, have been available since long time ago. Agricultural statistics in the modern sense first appeared in 1814, when it was decreed that regular and detailed reports should be submitted through official channels. In 1835 the first general census of agriculture and livestock was undertaken in conjunction with the census of population, and such dual-purpose censuses continued up to 1900. In addition to the censuses, which in the main comprised sowing and livestock, annual reports on estimated yields and productiveness, land reclamation, prices, etc., were submitted by the local chiefs of police in rural districts. The first census devoted exclusively to agriculture was taken in 1907, and it was far wider in scope than any of the combined censuses of former years. Agricultural censuses have subsequently been taken in 1918, 1929, and since then, every 10 years to 1969. The first combined census of agriculture and forestry was held in 1979. Also the Census of Agriculture and Forestry 1989 was a combined census. Annual sample surveys of acreage and livestock for the years between the complete censuses were inaugurated in 1923; in 1947 these censuses were extended to include other subjects as well.

The first censuses held in conjunction with the population censuses were carried out by the local clergy and the local chiefs of police in rural districts. The latter were also responsible for submitting estimates of crops, prices, etc., and later also of carcass weight and milk yields. In 1875 instructions were issued to the effect that these estimates were to be backed by figures from selected "normal farms". Since the 1920s the local agricultural committees have been responsible for the agricultural censuses and have also submitted crop estimates. It was laid down both in the initial sample surveys and when a new scheme for crop statistics was introduced in 1925 that the agricultural committees' estimates were to be supported by figures from selected holdings. In 1946 a radical change was made, as the sample surveys became entirely based on figures from a random selection of farms.

Figures relating to individual municipalities have been based on the complete censuses. The results of the censuses were first published together with the population tables, later as a tabular appendix to the 5-year reports of the county governors, and from 1871 in a separate publication together with the annual statistics on crops etc. Since 1937 all current agricultural statistics have been published in NOS Jordbruksstatistikk (Agricultural Statistics).

The older agricultural statistics were to a certain extent confined to rural municipalities. Since 1959, however, rural and urban municipalities have been treated alike in the censuses.

Holdings and labour input

The first holding statistics, those from the censuses of 1865-1900, differentiate between "agricultural holdings proper" and other properties. Since the census of 1907 inclusive, the statistical unit "holding" has been defined as a single operational unit, regardless of whether the land is owned or leased and of whether it is separately assessed or not. Since 1907 the area of cultivated land has been used to classify the holding by size. Agricultural area has been the principal term of classification since 1939, and although this term has not meant quite the same in all censuses, the statistics do reflect the main trends.

Since 1929 agricultural censuses have provided statistics on employment on the holdings. In recent years corresponding information has been recorded through sample censuses held between the complete censuses.

Before 1969 work on the farms was counted in man-years (1 man-year equalled 280 man-days). The calculation was partly based on data covering persons on the holdings. At the census in 1969 all work was stated as man-days. Since 1969 housework has not been included.

Agricultural area and plant production

Information on agricultural area was not obtained directly in the censuses from 1835 to 1900, but information was collected on sowing, mostly of grains, and the area of land used for grains and potatoes was estimated indirectly. Around 1865 the land register provided a good estimate on the total agricultural area excluding outlying meadows. In the agricultural censuses from 1907 onwards figures relating to area were furnished for field crops, gardens and meadows. The first figures relating to meadowland were considered to be very unreliable and were later revised.

Before 1900, grain and potato crops were estimated on the basis of the information on sowing and planting derived from the agricultural censuses and estimates of productiveness in the preceding 5-year period. Annual reports were submitted by the local chiefs of police, who reported on whether the year's crop was good, fair, or poor, and whether there was a chance of a crop failure which would necessitate public intervention. From 1900 onwards the year's crop was estimated as a percentage of a mean year, and yields were calculated with the aid of this figure. From 1925 agricultural production was calculated on the basis of the annual area statistics and figures from the local agricultural committees relating to the average yield per decare for each crop. In addition, the agricultural committees furnished relative crop figures expressed as percentages of mean annual yield. The original crop calculation for the years prior to 1925 were revised in the 1930s, and the figures for 1941-1945 were revised in 1950. The total yield of agricultural crops is calculated in feed units using fixed conversion factors. The calculation shows the volume of the crop as feed regardless of annual fluctuations in feed quality. From 1976 yield is calculated on the basis of data from a random sample of holdings.

Regular estimates of fruit and vegetable crops were introduced in 1933. These are based on the figures derived from the agricultural censuses relating to the number of fruit trees and berry-bearing bushes and the area devoted to vegetables, estimates of annual fluctuations in these figures, and county-wise estimates of the yield per tree, bush, and area unit. The calculations are supported by separate fruit-tree censuses undertaken in 1955 and 1965, and by separate censuses of horticulture taken in 1974, 1979, 1985 and 1989.

Livestock and livestock production

The censuses from 1835 through 1865 provided for the most part total figures for different kinds of livestock. In 1875 there was some specification of horses and cattle, and in subsequent agricultural censuses there has been an increasing tendency to specify domestic animals by age. The censuses were originally held in conjunction with the population censuses, which were generally taken around the turn of the year. Subsequently it has been customary to take livestock censuses in June or July. In this issue of Historical Statistics figures are given only for summer livestock. Figures on winter livestock going back to 1835 were given in Historical Statistics 1968. Fur-bearing animals are not included in the annual sample censuses.

The older figures relating to livestock production were calculated on basis of the number of animals and estimated average figures for carcass weights or yield per animal. They are therefore not wholly reliable. Annual estimates for recent years are largely based on figures relating to registered sales of products. The term livestock production is now understood to mean the quantities produced for sale, domestic consumption and feed.

Means of production

Data on agricultural machinery and equipment have been collected in the complete censuses since 1890, but the scope has varied considerably from one census to the next. For certain machines figures have also been estimated on the basis of sample surveys.

Since 1929 data on the holdings' expenses for fertilizers and concentrated feed have been collected at the censuses of agriculture. Annual reports on total domestic consumption of concentrated feed have been calculated as the total quantity sold by wholesale dealers and district mills, and the farmers' contract grinding of own crops. The consumption of fertilizers is calculated on basis of the wholesale trade and stocks.

Prices, income and expenditure

In 1914-15 the Royal Norwegian Society for Rural Development started to process economic data derived from the accounts of selected farms. These studies of the operating results for farms were taken over in 1947 by the Norwegian Institute of Agricultural Economics, and the material was considerably expanded. In 1954 the design for inquiries about operating results was slightly changed. The calendar year was to be followed instead of the natural working year 1 April-31 March. In the economic analysis figures per decare were substituted by figures per holding.

An index of agricultural prices was prior to 1976 compiled by the Agricultural College of Norway, and these calculations date back to 1914-15. From the outset the index was based on prices to the producer on the Oslo market and on working results of farms in Eastern Norway, the base being the 5-year period 1909-1914. During the war the base year and weight basis were altered. In 1957 the index was revised. The revised index was based on price data which in principle covered the whole country; the aggregate account of agriculture for 1952-1954 was employed as a weight basis, and the base year was 1952.

In 1969 the index was again revised. The new base year was 1965 and the aggregate account of agriculture for 1965 was employed as a weight basis. Beginning 1976 The Agricultural Price Reporting Office took over the preparation of the agricultural price index. The index figures for 1930-1991 are converted in order to make 1985 a base year for the entire period.

Forestry

Sources and publications

Calculations and estimates relating to forest areas date back to the 1860s. The first census of forest properties was taken in 1907, together with the census of agriculture.

In 1917 the National Assembly passed a bill providing for assessment of the country's standing timber, increment, regeneration, etc., and directed that a special institution be established for this purpose, the National Forest Survey. The National Assembly also directed that information relating to the area of individual forest properties and roundwood cut should be collected through a forestry census. This census was carried out over a period of some years and the results were published in 1927. Further, forestry censuses were taken in 1957 and 1967. The National Forest Survey completed its first national survey in 1933, and has since 1937 kept its assessment constantly up to date. The Forestry Conservation Act of 1932 provided a basis for both improved statistics on silviculture and for regular statistics relating to roundwood cut.

In the 5-year reports of the county governors, estimates were submitted on the state of the country's forests. The results of the forestry censuses have been published separately. The detailed annual statis- tics relating to roundwood cut were published in NOS Skogavvirkning (Roundwood Cut) from 1936-37 to 1960-61 and again from 1965-66. In the intervening years the removal statistics were included in NOS Skogstatistikk (Forestry Statistics). The National Forest Survey has published the results of its assessments countywise as and when they were completed. The principal results are included in NOS Skogstatistikk (Forestry Statistics).

Forest properties and productive forest area

The forestry censuses have property as enumeration unit. The censuses of 1957 and 1967 comprise properties with a productive forest area and/or afforestation area totalling at least 25 decares.

In the forestry censuses as of 1957 and 1967 and in the combined censuses of 1979 and 1989 it was stipulated that the area designated as productive forest should have a productive capacity corresponding to a mean increment of at least 0.120 cubic metre per decare per year.

Roundwood cut

The first calculations in respect of the annual volume of roundwood cut were based on estimates of the domestic consumption for fuel, building, and processing, and on export statistics. The 1927 forestry census provided information on roundwood cut for sale and for consumption on farms for 3 working years, for the most part 1918-19 to 1920-21. Complete statistics on roundwood cut for sale and industrial production have been compiled since 1936-37 on the basis of returns submitted by the municipal forestry boards. For preceding years, figures have been estimated on the basis of data obtained from the forestry censuses.

Forest roads

The first government grant for building forest roads was given in 1932-33 from unemployment funds. Since 1936-37 subsidies for forest road building have been a separate item in the national budget.

Statistics on forest road building were started in 1949 and referred at first to forest roads built with government subsidies. The statistics did also soon include forest roads built without government subsidies, but this part of the statistics is incomplete. Aggregated figures for forest road building should therefore be considered minimum figures.

Through the years, most of the forest road projects have received government subsidies. In table 14.27, roads with and without government subsidies are added together.

Prices of timber

The Roundwood Measurement Act of 1928 provided a basis for common price tables, and since the 1938-39 felling season tables have been drawn up containing basic prices for various roundwood assortments. Each year the prices of saw logs are stipulated as a percentage of the basic price.

Since the working year 1987/88, there exists no central negotiated prices for saw logs. The price may vary from one Forest Owner Association to another.

For pulpwood prices are centrally negotiated each year.

Hunting

The statistics relating to game felled were up to and including 1951 based on returns from the local chiefs of police. Since 1952 the returns have been submitted by the local game boards.

The statistics on yield of small game hunting refer to a random sample of persons who have taken out taxcards for the hunting season. The statistics therefore concern the game yield of those who have bought licences.

The ordinary roe deer statistics has been suspended since 1989 owing to significant discrepancies compared with small game hunting survey estimates. The estimates for 1987-1991 were based on data obtained from the survey of small game hunting. The figures for roe deer felled for these years are not comparable with results from earlier years.