E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Joe Morse
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

www.nass.usda.gov/ny


                        USDA IRRIGATION SURVEY STILL UNDERWAY 

To aid in efforts to provide farmers with improved technology, more efficient 
water use practices, and sound programs and policies, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting 
the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. 

"This survey provides a single source of comprehensive, up-to-date information on 
irrigation and water use across the agricultural industry," said Stephen Ropel, 
Director of the NASS New York Field Office. "By participating in this survey, 
farmers have a voice in promoting the need for more efficient irrigation 
practices - practices that will help improve their bottom line and 
ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s water resources." 

For the first time the irrigation survey, which is a supplement to the 2007 Census 
of Agriculture, includes a focus on nursery and horticultural operations.  Earlier 
this year the survey was mailed to 625 New York producers. NASS will soon begin 
contacting producers who have not yet responded in order to collect information 
on their irrigation water use during 2008. 

Producers are asked questions about application methods, equipment, facilities, 
expenditures, crop acreage and yield. This information will be used by industry, 
government, and producers themselves, to help shape future irrigation policies, 
tools and technologies. 

"New York farmers who are looking for more efficient ways to irrigate their land 
and ways to reduce their expenses need to participate," added Ropel. "This survey 
is their voice, their future and their responsibility." 

As is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is 
protected by law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring 
that no individual producer or operation can be identified. 

For more information about the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, call (800) 727-9540 
or visit www.agcensus.usda.gov. 

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4-8-09