USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service began mailing its Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey May 30 to 681 Minnesota farmers and ranchers.

The new survey is a joint project between USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, aimed at better understanding conservation practice adoption and the role of technical and financial assistance. The survey results will be used to guide the implementation of NRCS programs in the future.

There are two versions of the survey this year — one requesting information on crop conservation practices and one for confined livestock conservation practices.

If NASS does not receive producers’ completed surveys by June 13, they may reach out to schedule telephone interviews.

“Gathering information about farmers’ and ranchers’ motivation for and adoption of conservation practices allows USDA to understand the use and awareness of its programs,” says Dan Lofthus, Minnesota state statistician for NASS. “Effective implementation of USDA programs helps both producers and conservation efforts.”

NASS encourages recipients to respond securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, using the 12-digit survey code mailed with the survey. Producers responding online will now use the new NASS Respondent Portal. On the portal, producers can complete their surveys, access data visualizations and reports of interest, link to other USDA agencies, get a local weather update and more.

Completed questionnaires may also be mailed back in the prepaid envelope provided.

Results from both versions of the survey will be available Sept. 15 at nass.usda.gov and in the NASS Quick Stats database at quickstats.nass.usda.gov.

All information reported by individuals will be kept confidential, as required by federal law. For assistance with the survey, producers can call the NASS Minnesota Field Office at 651-728-3113.

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Minnesota Field Office, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.