Farm cash receipts for Canadian farmers totalled $15.5 billion in the first quarter, up 3.9 per cent from the same quarter in 2015.

Gains in crop receipts were more than enough to offset declines in livestock receipts and program payments.

Farm cash receipts increased in six provinces compared with the first quarter of 2015.

Higher receipts in Alberta, which increased by $156 million and Saskatchewan, which increased $424 million were largely responsible for the national increase.

Crop receipts rose by $977 million, up 12.2 per cent in the first quarter as eight provinces posted gains compared with the same quarter in 2015.

Increases in liquidations of deferred grain sales as well as higher canola and corn receipts also contributed to the rise in crop receipts.

Livestock receipts declined by $288 million to $6.1 billion in the first quarter, primarily as a result of A 13.1 per cent drop in cattle and calf receipts.

Receipts from the supply-managed sectors rose 1.7 per cent, tempering the drop in cattle and calf receipts.

Increased poultry, dairy and egg marketings were the main reason for the gain, as prices were down.

An increase in hog receipts also helped to moderate the decline in cattle and calf receipts, as both prices and marketings grew slightly.