Minnesota farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Although the first deadline has passed, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will continue to accept census information through the spring to get a complete and accurate picture of the $17 billion ag production industry in Minnesota, says Dan Lofthus, state statistician for the USDA NASS Minnesota Field Office.

The U.S. Census of Agriculture is vast and includes 79 different field and hay crops; 20 types of floriculture, nursery and Christmas tree production; 56 vegetable, potato and melon crops; 62 fruit, nut and berry crops; 23 types of poultry; 12 other livestock types that include animals like bison or bees; and prominent livestock sectors that include cattle, dairy, hogs, equine, sheep and goats. Additional census data include the number of farms reporting each item, income and expense data, farmland values, operator demographics and much more.

Multiple uses for ag census data
“There are so many important uses of the Census of Agriculture data,” Lofthus says. “The data affects every operation and every farming community at some point, whether it be through farm policy, allocating funding for conservation and loan programs as well as rural infrastructure improvements, or helping agribusinesses determine where to establish or expand to better serve farmers.”

Over the past year, Lofthus participated in the following activities and projects that involved census data:

• Local and regional economic development staff needed census data for projects in various parts of Minnesota. The census data are often the only place you can find county-level acreage and sales data. “Economic development efforts not only promote agriculture in a local area, but can have a tangible and positive local impact for farmers by drawing business, industry and jobs,” Lofthus says.

• University researchers needed local agricultural data to advance their research ideas that would have the potential to benefit farmers.

• Visiting foreign trade delegations were interested in Minnesota ag statistics, which helped describe the size, type and value of the agricultural industry in the state.

• Agribusiness companies relied on county-level data histories for specific crops and livestock to help them find sources to purchase. County ag data also help agribusinesses determine staffing concentrations in the right locations.

“All of these examples involved using Census of Agriculture data in ways that can benefit farmers,” Lofthus adds. “When data is available at the local level, the benefits from projects like these have a chance to be directed back to the local level.”

As every farmer knows, data are as sound as their source and as reliable as their depth.

“NASS can’t succeed in putting together county-level numbers unless we get a helping hand from farm operators who fill out their census forms,” Lofthus says. “It’s important that everyone who received a form is given the time and opportunity to return it.” He expressed thanks to those who have already completed the census thus far, and he encourages those who haven’t completed it to do so now — before planting season kicks in.

As of March 20, Minnesota had a return rate of 47% of the 96,400 ag census questionnaires mailed out last fall.

NASS still seeking census questionnaires
NASS will continue to follow up with farmers through the spring with mailings, phone calls and personal visits, because federal law mandates that everyone who received the 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire complete and return it, even if not currently farming.

To avoid these additional contacts, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to complete the census either online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail, as soon as possible. Responding online saves time by skipping sections that do not apply to your operation and automatically calculating totals. The online questionnaire is accessible on desktops, laptops and mobile devices.

Results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture will be available in February 2019. The data are released only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified — as required by federal law.

For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit agcensus.usda.gov. For questions or assistance filling out this census, call toll-free 888-424-7828.