USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will begin contacting Minnesota growers this month to learn about their production practices during the 2017 growing season for soybeans and spring wheat.

NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service jointly conduct the Agricultural Resource Management Survey, which gathers data on farmers’ fertilizer and chemical use, pest management, field operations and production costs.

“One of the major benefits of this study is that the data gathered will be used to assist in the reregistration of existing pesticides and the registration of new pesticides. This information is needed so the Environmental Protection Agency has actual pesticide usage data from farmers to make these decisions, rather than just assuming maximum label rates are being applied,” says Dan Lofthus, NASS’ Minnesota state statistician.

The results of the survey also helps agricultural leaders and decision-makers better understand how producers cope with risks and make decisions about chemical use, new technologies and other aspects of farming, he adds.

In Minnesota, data will only be collected from about 300 soybean and 150 spring wheat producers.

Given the limited number of farmers being contacted, participation of every producer is critical. Lofthus encourages farmers to take the time to complete an interview if they are contacted by their local NASS representative.

Survey continues into next year
NASS representatives will begin contacting selected producers in September and continue through November. The length of that time frame would allow farmers enough time to complete the report at their convenience, Lofthus says.

In early 2018, spring wheat producers will be surveyed to obtain additional economic data about their operation.

The last nationwide production practice study for these commodities was conducted in 2015. Since then, it is likely that farmers have changed how they grow these crops. Therefore, the data collected from this survey will provide a voice for farmers to show how current production practices have changed and the effect of that change on crop production.

As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is kept strictly confidential.

The results of this survey will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law.

The results of the ARMS will be released on the NASS website, nass.usda.gov, in May.

For more information, call the NASS Minnesota Field Office at 651-728-3113.

Source: USDA NASS Minnesota Field Office