NASS-CO: USDA Seeks Feedback from Growers about 2019 Crops, Stocks, Livestock Inventories and Values
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – April 17, 2019 – Over the course of the next two months, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact over 12,000 producers across the region to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2019.
“Two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS conducts are the June Agricultural Survey and June Area Survey, due to the widespread and significant impact of their results,” explained Bill Meyer, director, Mountain Regional Field Office. “When growers respond to these surveys, they provide essential information that helps determine the expected acreage and supply of major commodities in the United States for the 2019 crop year. Results of this survey are used by farmers and ranchers, USDA, businesses, exporters, researchers, economists, policymakers, and others who use the survey information in making a wide range of decisions that benefit you as a producer.”
Data for the June Agricultural Surveys are gathered by NASS via the internet, mail, phone, or an in-person interview. For the June Area Survey, trained NASDA enumerators representing NASS visit select tracts of land and interview the operators of any farm or ranch within that selected tract. Growers are asked to provide information on planted and harvested acreage – including acreage for biotech crops and grain stocks. Additionally, the survey collects data on livestock inventory, cash rents, land values, and value of sales.
“NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only state and national level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” stated Meyer. “We recognize this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers, but the information they provide helps U.S. agriculture remain viable and strong. I urge them to respond to these surveys and thank them for their cooperation,”
NASS will analyze the survey information and publish the results in a series of USDA reports, including the annual Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports, both to be released June 28, 2019. Survey data also contributes to the NASS’ monthly and annual Crop Production reports, the annual Small Grains Summary, the annual Farms and Land in Farms as well as the Land Values report. The data is also valuable in various livestock reports, including Cattle, Sheep and Goats, and Hogs and Pigs summaries, as well as USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. These and all NASS reports are available online at http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information call the NASS Mountain Regional Field Office at (800) 392-3202.
For state specific questions please contact:
Arizona – Dave DeWalt 1-800-645-7286
Colorado – William R. Meyer 1-800-392-3202
Montana – Eric Sommer 1-800-835-2612
New Mexico – Longino Bustillos 1-800-530-8810
Utah – John Hilton 1-800-747-8522
Wyoming – Rhonda Brandt 1-800-892-1660