Illinois   Agricultural   Statistics Service

P.O. Box 19283 Springfield, Illinois 62794-9283 (217) 492-4295

Dear Friend:

We are happy to bring you another edition of the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Annual Summary. This publication serves as an historical document and recaps the results from a multitude of surveys during the previous year. Our mission is to "serve Illinois, its agriculture and its rural communities by providing meaningful, accurate and objective statistical information". We are able to do this through the voluntary cooperation of thousands of farmers and businesses in Illinois who respond to our surveys. We would like to especially thank the Illinois farmers who take time from their busy schedules to complete our questionnaires and share information about their farm operations.

Although much of the statistical information we publish is for the benefit of farmers, others who serve the agriculture sector also benefit. One of the strengths of our free society is our public information system. Our statistics are not just for the government but are provided on an equal basis to producers, buyers, processors, suppliers, and other interested parties.

Those of you with access to INTERNET will find this publication and our other reports online at our homepage located at http:/www.agr.state.il.us/agstats.htm.

During 1998 our Agency undertook a new challenge. For the first time, the Census of Agriculture is the responsibility of the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. In prior years, the agricultural census was conducted by the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. The Census of Agriculture is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agriculture data tabulated for every county of the Nation. It is also the sole source of data about farms classified by size, tenure, type of organization, market value of farm products sold, and type of enterprise. The 1997 Census of Agriculture data will be available on INTERNET February 1, 1999, in hard copy and on CD Rom March 20, 1999.

The staff of the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service is dedicated to serving agricultural data needs for all users. Please contact us any time with your questions, comments and requests for information.

Respectfully,

Garry D. Kepley
State Statistician

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