(Submitted)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey producers in 41 states, including Arkansas, as part of its County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS). The survey will collect information on total acres planted and harvested, and total yield and production of row crops in order to establish county-level figures.
“The data provided by producers is where county-level numbers come from; it will help federal and state programs that support the farmer,” said Eugene Young, Director of the NASS Delta Regional Field Office. “We hope every producer understands the importance of these data and will take the time to respond if they receive this survey.
Producers benefit when there are data available to help determine accurate loan rates, disaster payments, crop insurance price elections, and more. When enough producers respond to surveys, NASS is able to publish county-level data.
Without sufficient data, NASS may not be able to publish county-level numbers and agencies such as USDA’s Risk Management Agency or Farm Service Agency may not have information on which to base the programs that serve those same producers.”
Within the next few weeks, NASS will mail survey questionnaires to selected Arkansas growers who will have the opportunity to respond online or by mail. Those growers who do not respond may be contacted by NASS representatives to arrange a telephone or in-person interview to complete the survey.
NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified as required by federal law. Survey results will be published on the NASS Quick Stats database https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/. For more information call the NASS Delta Regional Office at (800) 327-2970.
