During the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct two major midyear surveys — the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey.

Agency staff will survey more than 5,000 operators across Minnesota to determine crop production and supply levels in 2017.

Additionally, about 200 operators will be surveyed to evaluate coverage for the upcoming 2017 Census of Agriculture.

“Due to the widespread and significant impact of its results, the June Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey, and the June Area Survey are two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS conducts,” says Dan Lofthus, NASS Minnesota Field Office state statistician. “When growers respond to these surveys, they provide essential information that helps us determine the prospective production and supply of major commodities in the United States for the 2017 crop year. Everyone who relies on agriculture for their livelihood is interested in the results.”

NASS gathers the data for the June Agricultural Survey online, by mail, and with phone and in-person interviews. For the June Area Survey, agency representatives visit randomly selected tracts of land and interview the operators of any farm or ranch on that land. Growers provide information on crop acreage — including biotech crops — as well as grain stocks, livestock inventory, cash rents, land values and value of sales.

NASS will compile and analyze the survey information and publish the results in a series of USDA reports, including the annual Acreage report and quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released June 30.

Survey data contribute to NASS’ monthly and annual Crop Production reports, as well as the annual Small Grains Summary and USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” Lofthus says. “We recognize this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers, but the information they provide helps U.S. agriculture remain viable and competitive. I urge them to respond to these surveys and thank them for their cooperation.”

All reports are available on the NASS website.

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

Source: NASS Minnesota Field Office