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.

In 2020, 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, Sentinel-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 in Alberta, Manitoba, & Quebec; point observations from the PEI Department of Environment, Water and Climate Change; the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and data collection supported by our regional AAFC Research and Development Centres in St. John’s, Charlottetown, Fredericton, and Guelph. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, complete sampling coverages in NL, NS, NB and BC were not possible, as a result the general agriculture class (120) is found in these provinces in areas where there was no ground data collected.

In 2018, 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, Sentinel-2) 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 in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, & Quebec; point observations from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, & the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and data collection supported by our regional AAFC Research and Development Centres in St. John’s, Kentville, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Guelph, and Summerland

In 2010 the Earth Observation Team of the Science and Technology Branch (STB) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) continued the process of generating annual crop inventory digital maps using satellite imagery. Focusing on the Prairie Provinces, a Decision Tree (DT) based methodology was applied using both optical (AWiFS, Landsat-5, DMC) and radar (RADARSAT-2) based satellite imagery, and having a final spatial resolution of 56m. Methods were also developed to enhance the optical classification with RADARSAT-2 imagery, addressing issues associated with cloud cover. In conjunction with satellite acquisitions, ground-truth information was provided by provincial crop insurance companies and point observations from our regional AAFC colleagues. The overall process for Crop Inventory Map includes: satellite data acquisition; field data acquisition for classification training and accuracy assessment; and, operational implementation of the classification methodology.

In 2009 the Earth Observation Team of the Science and Technology Branch (STB) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) began the process of generating annual crop inventory digital maps using satellite imagery. Focusing on the Prairie Provinces, a Decision Tree (DT) based methodology was applied using both optical (AWiFS, Landsat-5) and radar (RADARSAT-2) based satellite imagery, and having a final spatial resolution of 56m. Methods were also developed to enhance the optical classification with RADARSAT-2 imagery, addressing issues associated with cloud cover. In conjunction with satellite acquisitions, ground-truth information was provided by provincial crop insurance companies and point observations from our regional AAFC colleagues. The overall process for Crop Inventory Map includes: satellite data acquisition; field data acquisition for classification training and accuracy assessment; and, operational implementation of the classification methodology.The initial methodology was developed in partnership with AAFC Research Branch, and supported in part by the Canadian Space Agency. The long-term objective of this endeavour is to expand from the Prairies and produce an annual crop inventory of the entire agricultural extent of Canada.

Growing degree days (GDDs) are used to estimate the growth and development of plants and insects during the growing season. Growing Degree Day are computed by subtracting a base value temperature from the mean daily temperature and are assigned a value of zero if negative. Base temperatures are a point below which development does not occur for the organism in question. Growing Degree Day products are created for base 0, 5, 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.GDD values are only accumulated during the Growing Season, April 1 through October 31.

Soil Survey Project Boundaries (soil mapping study areas) contains the soil survey project area and attributes describing each project (project level metadata), plus links to the locations of other data associated with the project (e.g., soil survey reports, polygon datasets, plotfiles, scanned maps, legends). Soil Mapping divides the landscape into units according to soil association, name, type, drainage, parent material, and texture. This layer is derived from the STE_TEI_PROJECT_BOUNDARIES_SP layer by filtering on the PROJECT_TYPE attribute. Project types include: SOIL, TIMSOI, and SOILSW. Current version: v11 (published on 2024-10-03) Previous versions: v10 (published on 2023-11-14), v9 (published on 2023-03-01), v8 (published on 2016-09-01) The Soil Survey dataset contains project boundaries as well as the soil survey polygons which are available in a variety of formats including: 1) via the [Soil Information Finder Tool](http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/land/soil-information-finder) Mapping App (interactive app), 2) [Soil Survey Spatial data](https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/soil-survey-spatial-view) with [Soil Name and Layer Files](https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/soil-name-and-layer-files) (for download or viewing via iMapBC), or as 3) [Soil Mapping Data Packages](http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/esd/distdata/ecosystems/Soil_Data/Soil_Data_Pkgs/) with geodatabase or shape files, and a data dictionary.

Geotechnical data comes from investigations performed by geotechnical engineers to obtain information on the physical properties of soil and rock underlying a site for proposed structures. The investigations include surface exploration and subsurface exploration of a site. In addition, site investigations will often include subsurface sampling and laboratory testing of the soil samples retrieved. The digging of test pits and trenching may also be used to learn about soil conditions at depth. Geotechnical data is relevant to our permafrost database as it contains logs of ice encountered at various depths.Yukon Geological Survey has been compiling geotechnical data from various organizations and branches. The main datasets being compiled are the following:Northern Climate ExchangeCommunity Services, Land BranchEnergy Mines and Resources, Abandoned MinesTransportation Engineering BranchAlaska Highway Borehole DatabaseAgriculture soil profilesDistributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)

Understanding the state and trends in agriculture production is essential to combat both short-term and long-term threats to stable and reliable access to food for all, and to ensure a profitable agricultural sector. Starting in 2009, the Earth Observation Team of the Science and Technology Branch (STB) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) began the process of generating annual crop type digital maps. Focusing on the Prairie Provinces in 2009 and 2010, a Decision Tree (DT) based methodology was applied using optical (Landsat-5, AWiFS, DMC) and radar (Radarsat-2) based satellite images. Beginning with the 2011 growing season, this activity has been extended to other provinces in support of a national crop inventory. To date this approach can consistently deliver a crop inventory that meets the overall target accuracy of at least 85% at a final spatial resolution of 30m (56m in 2009 and 2010).

This dataset contains Manitoba Agriculture soil survey data at various scales ranging from highly detailed to broader reconnaissance level information.Soil is essential to human survival. We rely on it for the production of food, fibre, timber and energy crops. Together with climate, the soil determines which crops can be grown, where and how much they will yield. In addition to supporting our agricultural needs, we rely on the soil to regulate the flow of rainwater and to act as a filter for drinking water. With such a tremendously important role, it is imperative that we manage our soils for their long-term productivity, sustainability and health. The first step in sustainable soil management is ensuring that the soil will support the land use activity. For example, only the better agricultural soils in Manitoba will support grain and vegetable production, while more marginal agricultural soils will support forage and pasture-based production. For this reason, agricultural development should only occur in areas where the soil resource will support the agricultural activity. The only way to do this is to understand the soil resource that is available. Soil survey information is the key to understanding the soil resource. Soil survey is an inventory of the properties of the soil (such as texture, internal drainage, parent material, depth to groundwater, topography, degree of erosion, stoniness, pH and salinity) and their spatial distribution over a landscape. Soils are grouped into similar types and their boundaries are delineated on a map. Each soil type has a unique set of physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics and has similar reactions to use and management. The information assembled in a soil survey can be used to predict or estimate the potentials and limitations of the soils’ behaviour under different uses. As such, soil surveys can be used to plan the development of new lands or to evaluate the conversion of land to new uses. Soil surveys also provide insight into the kind and intensity of land management that will be needed. The survey scale of soils data for Manitoba ranges from 1:5,000 to 1:126,720, as identified in the 'SCALE' column.1:5,000. The survey objective at this scale is to collect high precision field scale data and it is mostly used in research plots and other highly intensive areas. It is also applicable to agricultural production and planning such as precision farming, agriculture capability, engineering, recreation, potato/irrigation suitability and productivity indices. Profile descriptions and samples are collected for all soils. At least one soil inspection exists per delineation and the minimum size delineation is 0.25 acres. The soil taxonomy is generally Phases of Soil Series. The mapping scale is 1:5,000 or 12.7 in/ mile. This file also contains soils data that has been collected in Manitoba at a survey intensity level of the second order. This includes data collected at a scale of 1:20,000. The survey objective at this scale is to collect field scale data and it is mostly used in agricultural production and planning such as precision farming, agriculture capability, engineering, recreation, potato/irrigation suitability and productivity indices. Soil pits are generally about 200 metres apart and are dug along transects which are about 500 metres apart. This translates to about 32 inspections sites per section (640 acres). The soils in each delineation are identified by field observations and remotely sensed data. Boundaries are verified at closely spaced intervals. Profile descriptions are collected for all major named soils and 10 inspection sites/section and 2 to 3 horizons per site require lab analyses. At least one soil inspection exists in over 90% of delineations and the minimum size delineation is generally about 4 acres at 1:20,000. The soil taxonomy is generally Phases of Soil Series. The mapping scale is 1:20,000 or 3.2 inch/ mile. This file also contains data that has been collected at the third order. This includes scales of 1:40,000 and 1:50,000. The survey objective at this scale is to collect field scale or regional data. If the topography is relatively uniform, appropriate interpretations include agriculture capability, engineering, recreation, potato/irrigation suitability and productivity indices. Soil pits are generally dug adjacent to section perimeters. This translates to about 16 inspection sites per section (640 acres). Soil boundaries are plotted by observation and remote sensed data. Profile descriptions exist for all major named soils and 2 inspection sites/section and 2 to 3 horizons per site require lab analyses. At least one soil inspection exists in 60-80% of delineations and the minimum size delineation is generally in the 10 to 20 acre range. The soil taxonomy is generally Series or Phases of Soil Series. The mapping scale is 1:40,000 or 2 inch/ mile; 1:50,000 or 1.5 inch/mile. This file also contains soils data that has been collected at a survey intensity level of the fourth order. This includes scales of 1:63,360, 1:100,000, 1:125,000, and 1:126,720. The survey objective is to collect provincial data and to provide general soil information about land management and land use. The number of soil pits dug averaged to about 6 inspections per section (640 acres). Soil boundaries are plotted by interpretation of remotely sensed data and few inspections exist. Profile descriptions are collected for all major named soils. At least one soil inspection exists in 30-60% of delineations and the minimum size delineation is 40 acres (1:63,360), 100 acres (1:100,000), 156 acres (126,700) and 623 acres (250,000). The soil taxonomy is generally phases of Subgroup or Association. As of 2022, soil survey field work and reports are still currently being collected in certain areas where detailed information does not exist. This file will be updated as more information becomes available. Typically, this is conducted on an rural municipality basis. In some areas of Manitoba, more detailed and historical information exists than what is contained in this file. However, at this time, some of this information is only available in a hard copy format. This file will be updated as more of this information is transferred into a GIS format. This file has an organizational framework similar to the original SoilAID digital files and a portion of this geographic extent was originally available on the Manitoba Land Initiative (MLI) website. Domains and coded values have also been integrated into the geodatabase files. This allows the user to view attribute information in either an abbreviated or a more descriptive manner. Choosing to display the description of the coded values allows the user to view the expanded information associated with the attribute value (reducing the need to constantly refer to the descriptions within the metadata). To change these settings in ArcCatalog, go to Customize --> ArcCatalog Options --> Tables tab --> check or uncheck 'Display coded value domain and subtype descriptions'. To change these settings in ArcMap, go to Customize --> ArcMapOptions --> Tables tab --> check or uncheck 'Display coded value domain and subtype descriptions'. This setting can also be changed by opening the attribute table, then Table Options (top left) --> Appearance --> check or uncheck 'Display coded value domain and subtype descriptions'. The file also contains field aliases, which can also be turned on or off under Table Options. The file - "Manitoba Municipal Boundaries" - from Manitoba Community Planning Services was used as one of the base administrative references for the soil polygon layer. Also used as references were the hydrological features mapped in the 1:20,000 and 1:50,000 NTS topographical layers (National Topographic System of Canada). Typically this would relate to larger hydrological features such as those designated as perennial lakes and perennial rivers. This same capability is available in ArcGIS Pro. For more info: https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soil/soil-survey/importance-of-soil-survey-mb.html#