USDA Surveying Producers for Agricultural Production

This fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey producers for its County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS) and Agricultural Survey. The surveys will collect information on total acres planted and harvested, and total yield and production of small grains crops down to the county level. The Agricultural Survey will also collect information about grains and oilseeds stored on farms. The surveys will provide the data needed to estimate acreage and production of selected crops in the United States.

“The data provided by producers will help federal and state programs support the farmer,” said Greg Bussler, Wisconsin state statistician. “I hope every single producer understands the importance of these data and will take the time to respond if they receive a survey. Producers lose out when there is no data to determine accurate rates for loans, disaster

payments, crop insurance price elections and more. When enough producers do not respond to surveys, NASS is not able to publish data. Without data, agencies such as USDA’s Risk Management Agency or Farm Service Agency do not have information on which to base the

programs that serve those same producers.”

Within the next few weeks NASS representatives will contact selected Wisconsin growers to arrange an interview. State- and national-level results from the Sept. 1, 2018 Agricultural Survey will be published in the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released Sept. 28. County-level survey results will be published on the NASS Quick Stats database (quickstats.nass.usda.gov/) on Dec. 13. All NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications.