E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov (518) 457-5570 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Brent Farley Thursday, January 20, 2011 www.nass.usda.gov/ny USDA to Gather 2011 Land Rental Rate Data ALBANY, NY - The U.S. Department of Agriculture relies on average cash rental rates at the county level to develop and administer programs that benefit New York’s farmers and rural communities. To provide this needed information, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon begin contacting farmers and ranchers throughout the state to participate in the 2011 Cash Rents and Leases Survey. "Taking part in the Cash Rents and Leases Survey is one of the best investments producers can make," said King Whetstone, director of the NASS New York Field Office. "Ultimately, the results will provide a valuable decision-making tool for farmers, ranchers and other landowners - especially when negotiating 2012 rental agreements and making other business decisions." For that reason, NASS will again conduct the survey in the spring to ensure the results are available before year’s end. NASS will publish the average cash rental rates at the national, state and county levels for non-irrigated cropland, irrigated cropland and pastureland on September 9. Beginning in February, NASS will mail the Cash Rents and Leases Survey to 4,176 producers in New York. "Our goal is to make it as convenient as possible for farmers and ranchers to provide this information. They can mail a survey form back or reply online or over the phone," Whetstone said. "Regardless of which method they choose, they can be assured that the confidentiality of all responses is protected by federal law. NASS publishes only aggregate-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified." For more information about the Cash Rents and Leases Survey, call the NASS New York Field Office at 1-800-821-1276. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. 1-20-11