USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service sent out survey forms to landowners late in December and early January to measure the financial impacts and challenges of land ownership.

If you haven't filled out the survey, called Tenure, Ownership and Transition of Agricultural Land, NASS officials encourage you to do so.

USDA: Landowner Survey is Mandatory But Beneficial

"The recent Census of Agriculture counted more than 19.9 million acres of land that were rented or leased in Nebraska, but it has been more than a decade since we spoke to landowners themselves," says Dean Groskurth, Northern Plains Regional director for NASS. "I hope all who receive TOTAL surveys will respond to help update landownership information. The data will ensure that all decisions affecting Nebraska farmland is based on accurate information that comes directly from the source."

TOTAL is a part of the Census of Agriculture program, which means response to this survey is mandatory. The TOTAL survey program will collect data from both farm operators and landlords who are not farm operators to create a complete picture of farm costs, land ownership, demographics about farm operators and landlords, and improvements made to farmland and buildings, among other characteristics. More than 80,000 farmland owners and producers across the United States will receive TOTAL forms, including 3,100 in Nebraska.

"This survey is lengthy and we realize some producers and landowners may have questions or need clarification," explains Groskurth. "In February, our interviewers will begin reaching out to those producers and landowners who have not yet responded to answer any questions they may have and help them fill out their questionnaires."

In addition to collecting accurate data, NASS is strongly committed to confidentiality. Information provided by respondents is confidential by law. The agency safeguards the confidentiality of all responses, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

NASS will publish results of the TOTAL survey in its Quick Stats database in August 2015. Quick Stats is available online at quickstats.nass.usda.gov. NASS will also publish the economic data gathered in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on Aug. 4, 2015.

All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov.