United States Department of Agriculture

WASHINGTON - June 6, 2012 - USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently contacting farmers and ranchers across the country to gather information for some of its most important surveys of the year. During the first two weeks of June, NASS is gathering information about U.S. crops and livestock through three simultaneous surveys focusing on agricultural acreage, crops produced and stored, and hog inventory. 

“The comprehensive crop, livestock, and economic data collected benefit farmers and others in the agricultural industry,” said Bob Bass, Director of NASS’s National Operations Center. “The information contributes to a stable economic climate; creates an accurate, up-to-date picture of U.S. agriculture; helps producers make marketing decisions; and reduces risk. Because it is equally available to producers, agri-businesses, commodities markets, researchers, and other interested parties, it creates a more level playing field.”

Trained NASS enumerators will personally interview producers to collect information about the 42,000 tracts of farmland they operate. In addition, tens of thousands of respondents have already received surveys in the mail and can fill out the questionnaire using NASS’s easy and secure online system or mail it back. NASS representatives will also contact farmers and ranchers who have not yet responded to the survey to help them provide responses over the telephone.

 “While we recognize that this is a busy time for the producers, we hope all farmers and ranchers recognize the value of the information to their businesses, communities and industries that they will take the time to respond to these surveys,” added Bass. “By responding to enumerators and participating in the survey, farm and ranch operators can help ensure the data are complete and accurate.”

As with all NASS surveys, the information collected in the June surveys is kept strictly confidential, as required by federal law. NASS will not publish any individual’s information. Survey results are available in aggregate form only. For more information about these surveys, visit www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys.