Summary of the 2007 

USDA Data Users Meeting

Rosemont, Illinois

Monday, October 29, 2007
 

2007 USDA Data Users Meeting 

Monday, October 29, 2007 

Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare 

5440 North River Road 

Rosemont, IL 60018 

AGENDA 

12:30 p.m. Registration 

 1:00 p.m. Introduction and Overview 

Carol House 

National Agricultural Statistics Service 

 1:15 p.m. Agency Reviews 

Warren Preston 

Agricultural Marketing Service 

Greg Pompelli 

Economic Research Service 

Tim Rocke

Foreign Agricultural Service 

Steve Wiyatt 

National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Gerald Bange 

World Agricultural Outlook Board 

 2:30 p.m. Open forum for questions and comments 

from participants 

 2:45 p.m. Break 

Open forum continues 

 4:30 p.m. Concluding comments 

 

http://www.nass.usda.gov

 
Agricultural Marketing Service 2007 

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) includes six commodity programs: Cotton, Dairy, 

Fruit and Vegetable, Livestock and Seed, Poultry, and Tobacco. The programs employ 

specialists who provide standardization, grading, and market news services for those 

commodities. They enforce such Federal Laws as the Perishable Agricultural Commodities 

Act, the Federal Seed Act and the Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999. AMS commodity 

programs also oversee marketing agreements and orders, administer research and promotion 

programs, and purchase commodities for Federal food programs. 

CURRENT ISSUES OF INTEREST 

LIVESTOCK MANDATORY REPORTING: 

On October 5, 2006, the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (Act) was reauthorized 

through September 30, 2010, with the Reauthorization Act. The Reauthorization Act separates 

the reporting requirements for sows and boars from barrows and gilts, among other changes. On 

August 8, 2007, AMS published in the Federal Register the proposed regulation to re-establish 

the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program. This rulemaking is necessary to re-establish the 

regulatory authority for the program’s continued operation, incorporate the swine reporting 

changes contained within the Reauthorization Act, as well as enhance the programs overall 

effectiveness and efficiency. Similar to the statutory requirement to separate reporting of sows 

and boars from barrows and gilts, the proposed rule separates the reporting of steers and heifers 

from cows and bulls, among other modifications. 

WEB PORTAL ENHANCEMENTS: 

The Market News Portal was released to the public October, 2005, with fruit and vegetable and 

livestock and grain information. It has proven to be popular as it empowers users of Market 

News data like never before. For the first time, customers can access directly the Market News 

Information System (MNIS) or database. Additionally, they can customize the Portal to meet 

their individual information needs and can download the data in the format they find most useful. 

The Portal also offers currency and metric conversion as well as customized weather 

information. 

As market reporters and customers have used the Portal, they have identified several key areas 

for improvement. These areas of improvement include enhanced graphing capability, access to 

large blocks of data, and simpler tools for first time or inexperienced users. The enhancements 

will be rolled in three phases, with phase one just completed. Phase two, which is in user 

acceptance testing, will add the capability to store and retrieve segregated organic and 

greenhouse data, as well as to improve other data retrieval capabilities. Phase three will be the 

system requirements and analysis phase for adding the other commodities to the Portal, such as 

poultry, dairy and cotton. The additional commodity groups will be added to the Portal as 

resources become available. 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DATA: 

In the interest of facilitating international trade, several Federal agencies are working together 

to develop the ACE/ITDS project, one of the largest IT projects ever undertaken by the 

Government. Simply put, ACE/ITDS is a single-window filing system for international trade. 

Currently, in order to import an item into the United States, the importer must fill out separate 

declaration forms for several different agencies. With ACE/ITDS, the trade will be able to 

input the data once into the system. From there, each respective agency will be able to extract 

the information they need to make a decision on the import: whether or not to allow it into the 

country, how much duty ought to be paid, if there is any hazardous materials to look out for, 

and so forth. This system will ensure that all imports will be acted upon by the responsible 

government agencies, while also eliminating unnecessary delays at the border and eliminating 

unnecessary paperwork. 

For Market News branches, the integration into ACE/ITDS will lead to great improvements in 

the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of our reporting. Data that are currently compiled 

and released on a semi-weekly or monthly basis will become available in near-real time. The 

near-instantaneous release of import and export information, as opposed to the current 30-45 day 

release, will give the agriculture industry more and better information with which to make 

marketing decisions. Market News will also have access to more information through 

ACE/ITDS. We should be able to obtain information on imports categorized by such 

characteristics as variety, size, color, and condition. To use a quick example, instead of having 

an import classified as “mango,” it would be classified as “Tommy Atkins mango, 10 size, fresh” 

or “Keitts mango, sliced and frozen in plastic bags.” This greater degree of specificity will allow 

Market News to better serve its customers in the future. 

CHANGES TO AMS REPORTS AND NEW REPORTS 

Dairy: 

Changes to Dairy Market News Reports in 2007 

Responding to an industry request, the daily Chicago Mercantile Exchange dairy price flash 

report was expanded to include prices and changes for each day during the current week. This 

allows data users to see the current week's prices, especially helpful at midweek, in one report. 

(MD_DA997) 

Due to changes within the industry, the Northeast Condensed Skim price series, which includes 

Northeast Class II and Northeast Class III condensed skim prices, was modified to display each 

price range to the nearest cent. (MD_DA210) 

Due to industry consolidation, two reports had the regions combined into Central and East, 

resulting in two less reports. The new reports are now: Nonfat Dry Milk - Central and East 

(MD_DA650) & Dry Buttermilk - Central and East (MD_DA350) 

Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting 

On July 3, 2007, the Agricultural Marketing Service published an interim final rule that 

established a Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program as required by law. The Dairy Market 
Enhancement Act of 2000, and certain provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 

of 2002, amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for timely, accurate, and 

reliable market information to facilitate more informed marketing decisions and promote 

competition in the dairy product manufacturing. 

The program: (1) Requires persons engaged in manufacturing dairy products to report certain 

information including the price, quantity, and moisture content where applicable, of dairy 

products sold by the manufacturer; and (2) Requires persons storing dairy products to report 

information on the quantity of dairy products stored. The National Agricultural Statistics Service 

(NASS) collects the information. Any manufacturer that processes and markets less than 1 

million pounds of dairy products per year is exempt from the reporting requirements. 

 

AMS has implemented a plan to verify the price information submitted to NASS. AMS visits 

butter, nonfat dry milk, cheese and dry whey manufacturers that file reports. AMS verifies that 

eligible sales transactions agree with information reported to NASS and checks to determine 

whether eligible sales transactions were not reported. 

Fruit and Vegetable: 

Organic Data 

AMS Market News has entered into an interagency agreement with the Risk Management 

Agency (RMA) of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for the second consecutive year. The 

agreement calls for Market News to further enhance its database and the Market News Portal to 

better accommodate organic data and to make it readily retrievable by users, as well as to make 

the new retail reports available to the public out of the database and the Portal. The agreement 

includes a multi-year year project to expand the existing data collection for organic fruits and 

vegetables, as well as grain and other commodities. The RMA funded enhancements to the 

Market News Information System, or database, and the Market News Portal will be available by 

the first of 2008. 

New Reports 

National Fruit and Vegetable Retail Report 

Boston Wholesale Cut Flower Price Report 

New F.O.B. Reports 

Apples (organic) - Washington 

Cantaloupes – Caribbean Imports FOB Philadelphia 

Carrots (organic) - California 

Clementines - Peru 

Honeydews - Caribbean Imports FOB Philadelphia 

Lettuce (Romaine and Green Leaf) – New Jersey 

Mangoes - Caribbean Imports FOB Philadelphia 

Onions (organic) – Georgia 

Oranges (Cara Cara) - California 

Pineapples - Caribbean Imports FOB Philadelphia 

Raspberries - Mexico 

Tangelos – South Africa 
Livestock and Grain: 

New Reports 

CW_LS149 Regular Sale from Jackson County Livestock Market in Ripley, West Virginia 

RA_LS761 Carolina Stockyards, Siler City Monday, NC Weighted Average Report 

NW_LS785 Iowa Weekly Weighted Average Slaughter Cattle Report 

RH_LS550 Danville, VA Sheep and Goat Auction 

GX_GR311 United Producers Inc Weekly Hay Auction-Shelbyville, IL 

GX_GR312 Arthur Sale Barn Weekly Hay Report-Arthur, IL 

RA_LS753 Kilby's Livestock Market, North Wilkesboro, NC Weighted Average Report 

RA_LS756 Shelby Livestock Yard, Shelby, NC Weighted Average Report 

SV_LS142 Stanford, KY - Blue Grass South Livestock Market Cattle Auction Report 

NV_LS143 Tennessee Bred & Pairs Replacement 

WH_GR310 Nebraska/Iowa Hay Summary 

LN_LS322 New Holland, PA Sheep and Goat Weighted Average Report 

NW_GR213 Nebraska Ethanol Corn and Co-Products Processing Values 

RA_LS750 Southeast Livestock Exchange, Waynesville, NC Monthly Video Auction 

SF_GR111 South Dakota Ethanol Plant Report 

SV_LS174 Kentucky Bluegrass of Campbellsville Livestock Market 

SV_LS176 Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction, Bowling Green, KY 

NW_GR116 Iowa Soybean Processor Report 

AM_LS141 New Mexico Direct Feeder Cattle Report 

GX_GR120 Eastern Cornbelt Organic Grain & Feedstuffs Report (Bi-Weekly) Wtd Avg 

Report 

SV_LS143 Stanford, KY - Blue Grass South Livestock Market Cattle Auction Report 

BL_LS749 Miles City Livestock Commission Co. Miles City, MT Weighted Average 

WH_LS763 Nebraska Livestock Market of Norfolk 

NW_LS550 Ohio Goat Auction, Hillsboro Ohio Graded Goat Sale 

MD_LS156 Summary of Wisconsin Livestock Auction at Sparta 

MD_LS157 Summary of Wisconsin Feeder Cattle Auction at Altoona 

SJ_LS311 Mexico, MO Sheep & Goat Auction (Fri) 

GX_GR313 Hamilton's IL, Madison County Ag Hay Auction (Seasonal- Mon) 

RA_LS755 Weighted Average Auction Report of Siler City, North Wilkesboro, 

Turnersburg, Mount Airy, Shelby, Norwood and Smithfield, NC. 

WH_LS761 Columbus, NE – Columbus Sales Pavilion Feeder Cattle Weighted Average 

and Slaughter Cattle Report 

Discontinued Reports 

MS_GR101 Export Grain Demand Wire 

RA_LS153 Union County Livestock Market 

RA_LS168 Canton Livestock Market 

Poultry: 

New Reports 

• Mechanically Separated Chicken 

In 2007, USDA Poultry Market News and Analysis expanded coverage of the 

mechanically separated chicken market by combining the current Central and Eastern 

regional reports into a national report and expanding coverage to include the entire U.S. 

The new report presents the information in a more user-friendly format that allows users 
to more quickly and easily comprehend the marketplace. Market News has developed 

this report with its industry cooperators. The new report is currently being released 

concurrent with the Eastern and the Central Region MSC reports until January 4, 2008, 

when it will become the single MSC market report covering the national trading of MSC. 

(http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/PDF%20Reports/MSC/msc.htm) 

• Shell Egg Demand Indicator (SEDI) 

In 2007, USDA Poultry Market News and Analysis, working with the American Egg 

Board (AEB) and the United Egg Producers (UEP), developed a measurement tool for 

estimating demand for shell eggs. The Weekly Shell Egg Demand Indicator report 

estimates shell egg demand through calculations modeled after known industry 

production and marketing practices. Input data is collected from several sources 

including the Weekly Shell Egg Inventory and Weekly Eggs Processed Under Federal 

Inspection reports and from the monthly NASS Chickens and Eggs report. The actual 

demand indicator is expressed as a whole number where a positive indicates better than 

average demand relative to the most recent 26 weeks and a negative indicates less than 

average demand compared to the same time period. After receiving unanimous support 

from the AEB and UEP, public release of the report began on October 24, 2007. 

(http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/shell.htm) 

Revisions/Updates 

• Weekly Retail Chicken Feature Activity Report – Addition of Individually Quick 

Frozen Products 

Through 2006, Poultry Market News and Analysis reviewed retail feature activity for the 

most common individually quick frozen (IQF) chicken products for possible inclusion 

into the very successful supermarket feature activity report series. The level of retail 

featuring of IQF products can provide valuable insight into consumer trends at the retail 

counter as well as the relative health of the marketplace. As a result of this review, an 

IQF section comprised of the three most commonly featured uncooked IQF chicken items 

was added in March 2007. These items include boneless/skinless breasts, breast tenders, 

and wings. As these items are packed in various sized bags, all advertised prices are 

reported on a price per pound basis. Poultry Market News & Analysis continues to 

monitor additional items for possible inclusion but see inconsistent featuring of dark IQF 

cuts. (http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/RetailReports/RtlChick.htm) 

• Weekly Retail Chicken Feature Activity Report - Addition of Specialty and Organic 

Products 

Featuring of Specialty (produced from chickens raised on an all vegetable diet without 

antibiotics and minimally processed) chicken items continues to expand with the 

introduction over the past year of several new “natural” product lines, most recently, 

Tyson introduced an “all natural” line. Specialty cut-up birds and Specialty and Organic 

boneless thighs are becoming more common in ad space and are candidates for eventual 

inclusion. Poultry Market News & Analysis continues to review these items and others 

for possible inclusion. In September 2007 on the first anniversary of the introduction of 

the Specialty and Organic section, Poultry Market News & Analysis added year ago data 

to the report. (http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/RetailReports/RtlChick.htm) 
• Weekly Retail Shell Egg and Egg Products Feature Activity Report – Egg Products 

In 2005 in conjunction with industry members and trade groups, Poultry Market News & 

Analysis developed a market news report covering supermarket feature activity for the 

most common consumer grades of shell eggs. In October 2006, upon the completion of a 

full year of reporting, the report was updated to include year ago comparison data. At the 

same time, the report was expanded to a third page to include similar information for the 

most commonly marketed forms of liquid egg products. Also on the third page as a 

regular feature is a graph showing the relationship in featuring activity between regular 

shell eggs and liquid egg products and a second graph showing the relationship between 

Large white shell egg activity and the Large egg inventory. In addition, a special section 

was included during the November-December holiday observations covering supermarket 

feature activity of egg-nog. In October 2007 on the first anniversary of the introduction 

of the egg products section, Poultry Market News & Analysis added year ago data to the 

report. (http://www.ams.usda.gov/poultry/mncs/RetailReports/RtlEgg.htm) 

Tobacco and Cotton: 

All tobacco reports have been eliminated except for the Quarterly Stocks report due to the 

elimination of the mandatory grading program by Congress. The Tobacco and Cotton 

Programs will be merging in the near future. 
AMS Contacts: Agricultural Marketing Service: E-mail to: AMSWebmaster@usda.gov 

ADMINISTRATOR Lloyd C. Day 202-720-5115 

Associate Administrator Kenneth C. Clayton 202-720-4276 

Kenneth.Clayton@usda.gov 

Civil Rights Program Ruihong Guo 202-720-0583 

Ruihong.Guo@usda.gov 

Public Affairs Staff Billy Cox 202-720-8998 

Billy.Cox@usda.gov 

Legislative Staff Chris Sarcone 202-720-3203 

Chris.Sarcone@usda.gov 

Cotton Program Darryl Earnest 202-720-3193 

Darryl.Earnest@usda.gov 

Poultry Programs Rex Barnes 202-720-4476 

Rex.Barnes@usda.gov 

Dairy Programs Dana Coale 202-720-4392 

Dana.Coale@usda.gov 

Science & Technology Robert Epstein 202-720-5231

Programs Robert.Epstein@usda.gov

Fruit & Vegetable Robert Keeney 202-720-4722

Programs Robert.Keeney@usda.gov

Livestock & Seed Craig Morris 202-720-5705

Program Craig.Morris@usda.gov 

Transportation & Barbara Robinson 202-690-1300

Marketing Programs Barbara.Robinson2@usda.gov 

Compliance & Analysis Ellen King 202-720-6768

Programs Ellen.King@usda.gov 
ERS aims to provide timely, high-quality agricultural market information. Through several new 

initiatives, we are enhancing the value-added nature and transparency of our work. 

Enhancing Timeliness and Value-Added in Data Delivery 

Wheat Data - This data product builds on the lessons learned from the development of the Feed Grains 

Database and embodies the current best data delivery practices used on the ERS website. The product 

contains statistics on the five classes of wheat and rye. Includes data published in the monthly Wheat 

Outlook and previously annual Wheat Yearbook. Data are monthly, quarterly, or annual depending upon 

the data series. Data are available as predefined tables that can be viewed in HTML, Excel, and PDF 

formats. Find this data product at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Wheat/ 

Livestock Data – This data product is the next in a steady line of data deliveries based on the Wheat 

Data format and standards. This data product will combine data from the Red Meat and Poultry 

Yearbooks and the monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook data tables to create a more 

convenient and current data source for livestock data. The first element to be released will be expanded 

livestock trade data. 

Price Spreads from Farm to Consumer – This product presents improved estimates of the spread 

between what consumers pay for food products and what farmers receive for the associated agricultural 

commodities. This effort includes the release of new series for fresh fruits and vegetables based on

detailed purchase data showing what American households have been buying at supermarkets. Access 

to this series, detailed documentation, and other materials has been improved through a new data 

product available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FarmToConsumer/

 

Farm Business and Household Survey Data: Customized Data Summaries from ARMS – This data 

product helps describe farming in America and answers many of the most common questions about who 

farms, where they farm, how they farm, and the economic well-being of America's farm households. 

The information comes from the annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) data and 

reflects what farmers tell us about their businesses, farming practices, and households. See the data at 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/arms/ 

Regional Agricultural Profiles System - The forthcoming Regional Agricultural Profiles System will 

allow you to map 2002 Agricultural Census data by ERS farm resource regions as well as USDA farm

production regions. Charts and downloadable data tables will accompany the maps. 

(http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/ARMS/resourceregions/resourceregions.htm) 

Improved Quality of Communication 

Amber Waves—ERS’s flagship magazine continues to be recognized for its informative articles on 

timely topics. The May 2007 Special Issue, for example, was dedicated to articles on Food and Farm

Policy. In the next few issues, look for articles on this year’s wheat market, the effects of China’s 

exchange rate policies, the U.S. hog industry, and other topics drawn from ERS research and outlook 

programs. 
Farm Bill Side-by-Side – ERS is committed to publishing a summary comparison of the major 

provisions of the next Farm Bill with 2002-07 legislation shortly after the new Farm Bill is signed into 

law. This side-by-side comparison will include highlights of the new bill, a users’ guide, a policy 

glossary, and links to background ERS publications. 

E-Outlooks—By year’s end, we will have issued 16 special reports in 2007 examining the forces 

shaping the future of commodity markets and trade. This year’s topics focused on the effect of China’s 

exchange rate policies on U.S. trade, an assessment of NAFTA in its thirteenth year, the impact of 

ethanol on the U.S. agricultural sector, and the completion of the ERS commodity “backgrounder” 

series. 

Newsletters—ERS continues to issue over 80 regularly scheduled outlook reports in 10 series. We are 

continuing to update processes for our clients to receive market news, and will be posting newsletters in 

HTML on the web for better access to text, tables, and charts. Print features and *.pdf reports will still 

be available. The 2008 calendar will be posted as soon as a budget is passed. 

Leveraging Cooperators to Enhance Our Ability to Analyze Markets 

Conversion Factor Initiative— A new joint effort led by Pennsylvania State University and the 

International Life Sciences Institute will build on earlier efforts by the University of Minnesota Food 

Center to update and validate food conversion factors. This project relies on industry experts to help 

researchers estimate conversion factors and to validate new and existing conversion factors. 

Cooperative Agreements—We have a number of cooperative agreements on the economic impacts of 

invasive species affecting agricultural production. (For information, see http://www.ers.usda.gov/

Briefing/InvasiveSpecies/.) In 2007, ERS continued funding to process and present data for the 

Mandatory Price Reporting System in an agreement through Colorado State University. The National 

Academy of Sciences report on the Economic Development and Current Status of the Sheep Industry in 

the United States will be released to the public in February 2008. In conjunction with the Farm 

Foundation, ERS is supporting a workshop series on grain market dynamics to improve our 

understanding of these markets. 

New Directions 

ERS has initiated a Food and Eating Module as a supplement to the American Time Use Survey 

(ATUS) of Bureau of Labor Statistics. The module, developed jointly with the National Institutes of 

Health, National Cancer Institute, contains questions on eating while engaged in other activities, such as 

while watching TV or while driving. These data will allow research on whether certain patterns of 

eating and time use are associated with obesity and whether food assistance recipients are more time 

pressured than other low-income individuals. The 2006 data will be available in the first part of 2008. 

A new module, the Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey (FCBS), as a supplement to the Department 

of Health and Human Services’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) aims at 

understanding linkages among individuals’ knowledge and dietary guidance, their economic 

circumstances, their food-choice decisions, and their nutrient intakes. Combining the NHANES core 

data with this new survey allows analysis of how individual behavior, information, and economic factors 

affect food choices, dietary status, and health outcomes. The FCBS data will be available in 2009. 

Questions or Comments? Please address them to 

Greg Pompelli, Chief, Animal Products, Grains and Oilseeds, 

pompelli@ers.usda.gov or 202-694-5353
Accessing Global Commodity Information from USDA ’s 

Foreign Agricultural Service 

FAS Reorganized November 13, 2006: 

Goals of the Reorganization: 

The reorganization focused on inherently governmental activities such as: 

• Building on FAS' strength in commodity analysis to do a better job of analyzing how 

U.S. exports may be affected by developments such as foreign import bans, new trade 

agreements, and new technologies like biotechnology and biofuels. 

 

• More effectively linking the country expertise of FAS overseas offices with an increased 

focus in Washington on key countries and regions. 

 

• Providing program participants with better, streamlined, and transparent service.

 

• Grouping staff members into single, focused work units with clearly defined missions. 

 

• Strengthening FAS' ability to monitor and enforce trade agreements and to support the 

dispute settlement efforts of the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) Office. 

 

• Placing special emphasis on identifying and resolving SPS issues that affect trade. 

• Providing better support, both at home and abroad, to USDA regulatory agencies that are 

essential partners in resolving foreign SPS issues. 

 

• Focusing USDA international development and trade capacity work on building

relationships with foreign governments for quicker informal solutions to trade 

disruptions. 

Realignment into Three Key Areas 

Four major organizational components focus on FAS' policy functions. 

• The Office of Scientific and Technical Affairs (OSTA) provides the industry with a 

portal for issues related to SPS, technical barriers to trade (TBT), and market access 

work. USDA takes a lead role as the U.S. enquiry point under the World Trade 

Organization's SPS Agreement and prepares and tracks foreign country submissions for 

U.S. SPS determinations. 
• The Office of Country and Regional Affairs (OCRA) develops strategies to support 

bilateral negotiations and informal dispute settlement processes. OCRA analyzes 

agricultural, trade, macroeconomic, financial policies, and country positions on issues 

under negotiations. OCRA also prepares focused analysis on key countries and regions of 

the world and provides a strong link to the expertise of FAS' unique network of overseas 

offices. 

• The Office of Negotiations and Agreements (ONA), in consultation with USTR, 

develops trade policy and strategy for international trade negotiations. ONA monitors 

trade agreement compliance and provides support for dispute settlements. The group also 

helps coordinate USDA policy positions in international organizations. 

• The Office of Global Analysis (OGA) focuses on cross-cutting analysis on programs, 

policies, and industry-wide issues to support USDA's trade agenda. OGA also manages 

FAS global production, supply, and demand data and analysis. 

Two program areas concentrate on trade capacity building and agricultural development in 

developing nations and administer export and import programs. 

• In keeping with the President's National Security Strategy, the Office of Capacity 

Building and Development (OCBD) carries out activities that are in line with U.S. 

international economic development goals. OCBD operates food aid programs and trade, 

science, and regulatory capacity building projects, including training and technical 

assistance programs, and supports USDA’s post-conflict, post-disaster reconstruction 

efforts. 

 

• The Office of Trade Programs (OTP) administers programs that support marketing 

efforts, especially those carried out by the U.S. private sector, including the Market 

Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Program, Technical Assistance for 

Specialty Crops, and the Quality Samples Program. OTP also administers the export 

credit guarantee and Dairy Export Incentive Programs. Import programs include those for 

sugar, dairy, and trade assistance. 

Two areas focus on operations. The Office of Foreign Service Operations supports overseas 

Foreign Service staff, while the Office of Administrative Operations supports Washington 

headquarters staff. 

The Office of the Administrator includes the Civil Rights Staff and the Offices of Legislative and 

Public Affairs. 

For information on the reorganization and to determine contact points for all programs needs, 

visit the FAS website at www.fas.usda.gov. 

Market intelligence lies at the root of the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) effort to promote 

exports. FAS acquires data from satellite imagery, foreign statistics, and through its global 

network of offices in over 130 countries. FAS overseas offices produce nearly 3,000 market 

intelligence reports on a wide variety of subjects each year. In Washington, D.C., FAS’ Office of 

Global Analysis (OGA) has the responsibility to analyze this information along with the World 

Agricultural Outlook Board, Economic Research Service and other USDA agencies, to publish 

short term world production, supply and demand (PS&D) estimates on a monthly basis. FAS 

commodity knowledge supports USDA on issues of market access, food aid, export credits, and 

technical assistance and provides a source of unbiased information for the market. 
The FAS ON-Line and New Data Products:

You can tap into the FAS information network of agricultural counselors, attachés, and trade 

officers stationed abroad, and analysts, marketing specialists, negotiators, and related specialist in 

Washington, D.C. through the Internet at: http://www.fas.usda.gov. Through this Web site, you 

can quickly go to specific commodity Web pages with analysis, data, and timely news items, 

often related to market access or competitive issues faced by U.S. exporters. The FAS website 

also provides a portal to the web page s of all FAS overseas offices. A Google powered web 

search has recently been added to FAS On-Line. In the past year there have been several major 

improvements to the Web site. RSS Feed for press releases - FAS is now providing an RSS 

(Really Simple Syndication) feed of its ten most-recent News Releases. Using the RSS reader of 

your choice, you'll always be up-to-date when FAS publishes breaking news. Export Sales 

Query System database provides weekly and historical USDA data on current U.S. export sales 

and shipments for certain grains, soybeans and products, wheat products, rice, flaxseed, linseed 

oil, cotton and cottonseed products, sunflower seed oil, beef, and cattle hides and skins. This new 

database allows users to search this data from January 1, 1999 to the present based on commodity 

and country of destination. Finally one year ago, FAS expanded its Production Supply and 

Distribution (PS&D) on-line database that provides information on agricultural commodities for 

the United States and other countries. Users are now able to create a personal PS&D user account 

that allows them to save their on-line custom queries. The custom query and display options were 

enhanced to include commodity codes, country codes, monthly data, market-year data and top the 

10 countries for a specific commodity. New reports are available with analytical details of 

agricultural production trends. In addition, the reformatted database produces monthly reports 

beginning with July 2006 data as well as market year reports. 

The major news about FAS online is that more and more people are coming to the FAS Web site 

to get the information FAS produces. In July 2007 we had an all-time high of some 44,000 

visitors per week day with only 5 percent of them coming from inside FAS. Keep in mind that in 

the summer, we usually go down. By contrast, in July 2006 our average daily week-day visitors 

were about 27,000. 

For addition information please contact info@fas.usda.gov. 

U.S. Trade Internet System: 

USDA has a searchable, web-based U.S. export and import trade system with data for 

agricultural, fishery, and forestry products. This dynamic web-based system is designed to service 

frequent requests for trade data from farmers; industry associations; federal, congressional and 

state officials; university researchers; and journalists. The database is searchable at any level of 

the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Since initial implementation, many userrequested features have been added to the application to provide increased flexibility and enhance 

system capability. Clicking on areas within the body of the report accesses some of these new 

features. Some features are activated from the toolbar across the bottom of the output. Find the 

US Trade Internet system at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/ustrade/. For additional information 

please contact USTHelp@fas.usda.gov.
Development of a new US Trade System: 

The business requirements have been compiled for a new U.S. Trade System. System design and 

development are now beginning. The goal is to provide the means for system users to quickly 

and easily identify U.S. agricultural trade flows and trends through a simple and flexible web 

based interface using data visualization and better analytical tools. It will have all functionality of 

the current FAS Internet Trade system. Some of the envisioned enhancements include: 

• AD-Hoc Reporting (match current system) 

• Data Visualization (Charts, Maps) 

• Data Analysis (Drilldown, Color Coding) 

• Enhanced Data Downloads 

• Enhanced Output formats 

• Addition of Census Units of Measures and real time modification 

• Improved methods to save selections 

• Inclusion of U.S. state trade data 

• Inclusion of custom district trade data 

• Inclusion of Pre-1989 data 

USDA FAS PS&D Online: 

FAS released a new enhanced World Agricultural Production Supply and Distribution On-line 

(PS&D On-line) application on August 31, 2006. The new application retains all of the ease-ofuse and functionality of the old version, while incorporating powerful and exciting new features. 

FAS has improved its data release process so that in most cases WASDE data is now released at 

9am. The new PS&D On-line system enhancements include: 

3⁄4 Query 

o The ability to create a personal PS&D user account and save queries for future 

use 

o The ability to include commodity, country, and attribute codes 

o The ability to seamlessly query across commodities and attributes

o A top countries option

o The ability to view previous month data for the current year

o The ability to include month and year changes

o A “file format” option that places information in every cell (Excel users should 

use this function to replace downloadable datasets)

3⁄4 Reports 

o New online reports that provide additional detail of the global agricultural 

situation

o Links to Current World Production, Market and Trade Reports (circulars)

3⁄4 Downloadable Data Sets 

o Revamped and consolidated downloadable data files

o Addition of attribute and unit codes to allow easier linking across commodities 

o Archive of these monthly sets will be available soon 

o NOTE: These files are now too large to open in excel (Excel users should use 

this function to replace downloadable datasets)

3⁄4 Other 

o A yearly release schedule allows users to pre-plan data availability. 

o New Attributes: 

 Yield for grains, oilseeds and cotton 

 Food Seed and Industrial Consumption – Grains 

 Soybean Meal Equivalent (SME) – Protein Meals 
 Stocks-to-Use – Cotton 

o Country regions that match U.S. Trade online definitions 

We invite you to explore the new PS&D online at http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline

For additional information please e-mail FAS at psdonline@fas.usda.gov. 

USDA’s Crop Explorer:

USDA’s Crop Explorer Web site (http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/cropexplorer) provides 

customers with timely and accurate crop condition information on a global scale unavailable from 

any other source. Crop Explorer is a primary source of agricultural market intelligence for 

decision makers. Every 10 days, more than 2,000 maps and 33,000 charts are updated on the 

Crop Explorer Web site. A partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) links satellite imagery and lake level estimates. Satellite imagery is posted to Crop 

Explorer twice a day. More information can now be found from Crop Explorer including links 

to: 

• Commodity Explorer - Crop View Commodity Search Tool 

• Geographic Search - MetaCarta 

• Global Crop Production Analysis - FAS (http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov) 

• Global Reservoirs/Lakes – NASA/TOPEX 

• MPA Accumulated Rainfall - TRMM Multi-Satellite Precipitation Analysis 

• Photo Gallery – Digital Photos on the Ground by Region, Country and Crop 

• RSS News Feeds—Headlines, Archives, and World Agricultural Production 

• Satellite Imagery Gallery - NASA/MODIS 

World Production, Market and Trade Reports:

The World Market and Trade Reports provide the latest analysis and data on a number of 

agricultural commodities, outlining the current supply, demand and trade estimates for the United 

States and many major foreign countries. FAS releases monthly updates for cotton, grain, 

oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, and world agricultural production and biannual updates on meat 

and dairy products. Field crop publications are released on the business day following release of 

the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). Horticultural publications as 

well as coffee and sugar estimates, are published at twice a year. Find FAS’ current commodity 

information at http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdDataPublications.aspx. 

Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) (Attaché Reports):

 

The GAIN system is a searchable online archive of all field reports submitted by FAS overseas 

offices. GAIN covers all major crop and livestock products and provides timely information to 

U.S. exporters and to commodity analysts who use field data to aid USDA in determining global 

production, supply, and demand estimates. In addition to traditional commodity reporting, GAIN 

also includes reports on high value foods, fishery and forestry products, trade policy monitoring, 

and sector reports on food processors and the hotel and restaurant industry abroad. In recent 

years, FAS has added new annual reports on Biotechnology regulations by country, Export 

Certificate requirements by country, and Biofuels. The foreign-based staff of FAS submits about 

3,000 reports each year. 
The GAIN system is currently being redesigned to update the technology platform of the system, 

and to provide an increased emphasis on real-time reporting. The GAIN search engine may be 

accessed at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/AttacheRep/default.asp 

The public can register to subscribe to daily or weekly summaries of new releases. Users can 

receive reports on specific countries and/or commodities on the FAS website at: 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/scriptsw/faspush/default.asp. For additional information please email FAS at: Reports.Officer@fas.usda.gov

FAS Worldwide Magazine:

FAS Worldwide, which debuted in March 2005, is an online magazine from USDA's Foreign 

Agricultural Service. It is designed to cover the full spectrum of the Agency’s responsibilities and 

activities. This electronic publication provides comprehensive information about the multiple 

goals and activities of FAS in a flexible, user-friendly format. This online publication supersedes 

AgExporter, the monthly print magazine published by FAS through December 2004. The current 

issues include articles about Market and Trade Data such as “France Still Offers Opportunities for 

U.S. Food and Agricultural Products”, or “Sales of Premium Products to EU Drive Record U.S. 

Seafood Exports”. These and past issues are located at http://www.fas.usda.gov/

Export Sales Reporting:

Weekly export sales reports serve as a timely early warning system on the possible impact of 

agricultural sales on U.S. supplies and prices. The Export Sales data is released each week and is 

the aggregate of exporter’s previous week’s sales and exports of reportable commodities. The 

data can be used, for example, to assess the level of export demand, to determine where markets 

exist, and to assess the relative position of different commodities in those markets. This 

monitoring system provides a constant stream of up-to-date information on the quantity of U.S. 

agricultural commodities sold abroad. 

While the Export Sales Reporting Program has been in existence for over 35 years, we are 

continually working to improve the information flow to the public. One of the latest 

developments is the on-line Export Sales Query System. The latest Export Sales data will be 

available through the Query System with historical data being available back to January 1, 1999. 

A key feature of the query system is a graphics package that tracks the current week’s exports by 

commodity and country and compares this to the year prior and a 5-year average. The full U.S. 

Export Sales report is published every Thursday at 8:30 am eastern time and can be found at: 

http://www.fas.usda.gov/export-sales/esrd1.html. For additional information please e-mail: 

esr@fas.usda.gov. 

If you have comments on the information above, please contact Tim Rocke OGA/ISA - Industry 

And Sector Analysis Division Director, FAS at (202) 690-0292 or Tim.Rocke@fas.usda,gov. 
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 

STATISTICS DIVISION 

What’s New and What’s Changing

NASS Mission Statement: To provide timely, accurate, and useful statistics in 

service to U.S. Agriculture 

Crops 

A new weekly report, Peanut Prices, was issued starting on October 13, 2006. This report includes 

the weekly price received by farmers for each type of farmer stock peanut (Runners, Spanish, 

Valencia, and Virginia) along with the quantity marketed. Data for the prior four weeks are also 

included. 

A special corn objective yield report, Corn Objective Yield Survey Data, 1992-2006, was issued on 

May 18, 2007. This report provides information on the types of data collected from the corn objective 

yield surveys and how they relate to the Agricultural Statistics Board yield estimates. This 

information was provided to data users to aid in understanding the corn objective yield program and to 

provide a historical perspective of the changes that have occurred in the objective yield data over the 

last 15 years. 

A special soybean objective yield report, Soybean Objective Yield Survey Data, 1992-2006, was issued 

on July 27, 2007. This report provides information on the types of data collected from the soybean 

objective yield surveys and how they relate to the Agricultural Statistics Board yield estimates. The 

information was provided to data users to aid in understanding the soybean objective yield program 

and to provide a historical perspective of the changes that have occurred in the objective yield data 

over the last 15 years. 

State and U.S. level market year average prices for canola, rapeseed, mustard seed, safflower, and 

proso millet were published in the November Agricultural Prices report. Prior to this year, these 

prices were not published until the Crop Values report was released in February. 

Colorado and Kansas were added to the canola estimation program and were published as part of the 

combined Other States total in the Crop Production 2006 Summary report. 

In July 2007, NASS began estimating percent of acreage planted to yellow type potatoes. Historically, 

yellow potatoes have been included with white potatoes. However, white potatoes yield differently 

and are utilized differently than yellow potatoes, and yellow type potatoes have been an increasing 

portion of the potato crop over the past few years. 

Beginning with the 2007 crop, winter potatoes were combined with spring potatoes in Florida. 

Florida’s winter potato crop continues to decrease in acres and number of growers. Growers in Dade 

County, which was Florida’s major winter potato county, no longer produce potatoes. Winter potato 

shipments for the previous two years had less than three percent of Florida’s total sales. 
Beginning in 2007, the percent of major varieties planted for fall potatoes was published in the 

September Crop Production report. Previously, this information was not available until the November 

Crop Production report. 

Beginning in March 2007, the Prospective Plantings report now includes planting intentions for dry 

edible peas, chickpeas, Austrian winter peas, and lentils. Previously, the first planted acreage 

estimates for these crops were not published until the June Acreage report. 

Beginning in 2007, Mississippi was added to the blueberry estimation program. 

In 2007, NASS began estimating and publishing acreage, yield, production, price, and value for Scotch 

and Native varieties of spearmint in Washington. 

Beginning in January 2008, NASS will discontinue estimating and publishing equivalent on-tree 

returns for fresh peaches in the January Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts report. Beginning in January 2008, 

NASS will publish fresh and processed peach estimates for quantity, price, and value. 

Beginning with the 2007 crop year, Florida was dropped from the tobacco estimation program. 

Florida accounted for less than 1 percent of the U.S. acreage. 

Beginning in 2007, the number of States included in the annual Floriculture program was reduced 

from 36 to 15. 

Livestock

A special report, Overview of the U.S. Sheep and Goat Industry, was issued September 28, 2007. This 

report covers a graphic historical look at sheep and goat supplies in the United States for the last 25 

years. Historical data on the inventory, operations, sheep, lamb, and wool prices as well as inventories 

of angora, milk, and meat goats and data on mohair price and production were presented. 

A new report, Ethanol Co-Products Used for Livestock Feed, was issued June 29, 2007. This report 

was a joint effort between NASS and the Nebraska Corn Board involving 12 Midwestern States. The 

report highlights the use of co-products among dairy, cattle on feed, and beef cow operations as well 

as hog producers. The study also identifies the concerns and barriers that prevented producers from 

using co-products. 

Two new data series, net poults placed and eggs hatched, were added to the monthly Turkey Hatchery

released in April. Net poults placed replaced the poults placed data series to capture the impact of 

international trade on the turkey industry. The previous poults placed data series will remain 

accessible on the Quick Stats web site for analysis purposes, but will no longer be updated. The new 

data series, net poults, can be found on Quick Stats. 

A reliability table was added to the August Turkey Hatchery and the August Turkeys Raised releases. 

The reliability tables show how well an estimator of interest performs in estimation. Ten years of data 

are used to calculate the “Root Mean Square Error” percent that compares the first estimate to the final 

estimate. 
The monthly Dairy Products report released in March 2007, contained new cumulative U.S. level 

tables for lactose (human and animal) and total whey protein concentrate. The table containing ice 

cream, nonfat, and hard was discontinued. The two new tables continue in subsequent monthly Dairy 

Products releases. 

Beginning with the annual Dairy Products 2006 Summary released in April 2007, State level tables for 

ice cream, regular, total; ice cream, lowfat, hard; and ice cream, lowfat, soft; were discontinued due to 

confidentiality concerns and data quality issues at the State level. U.S. level estimates are still 

provided in the Frozen Product tables of this publication. 

The monthly Cold Storage report released in January 2007 contained modifications to the publication 

to reduce respondent burden. The following items at the US and regional level were discontinued: 

other shelled nuts, other in-shell nuts, canned hams, other canned meat, miscellaneous cooler items, 

and miscellaneous freezer items. Regional publication of pork ribs, pork trimmings, and other pork 

were discontinued. Consolidation of publication regions occurred for pecans and chicken. 

An interim final rule was published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2007 (72 FR 36341), that 

establishes a Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program as required by law. The rule was effective 

on August 2, 2007. This program will be carried out by NASS and the Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS). Beginning with week ending July 7, 2007, all weekly Dairy Product Prices data reported to 

NASS are subject to verification by AMS. 

Environmental, Economics and Demographics

A new U.S. monthly price series was started for canola in the August Agricultural Prices report. 

This series also includes prices each month for Minnesota and North Dakota. Previously, only 

Market Year Average prices were available from NASS. Canola prices will be used in the 

calculation of the monthly All Farm Products received index beginning in 2008. 

The NASS Quick Stats database available to the public contains the most current month prices 

paid and received index values. Previously, index revisions were calculated quarterly (January, 

April, July, and October). The new process allows the public to obtain the most current index 

values even though not published in a NASS Agricultural Prices release. 

The 2007 Agricultural Prices Summary will be released to coincide with July monthly 

Agricultural Prices release. Both reports contain some of the same data, so releasing them on the 

same day will reduce confusion for data users. 

The 2007 January Labor Survey was not conducted due to budget constraints. However, the All 

Hired, Field & Livestock, and Field annual average wages and number of workers will be 

published in November for the Regions and U.S., as in the past. State level wages will not be 

published. 

The Agricultural Chemical Usage 2007 Restricted Use Summary will be released on May 21, 

2008, in conjunction with the Agricultural Chemical Usage 2007 Field Crops Summary. 

The Agricultural Chemical Usage 2007 Postharvest Applications Summary will not be published 

in March 2008 as planned since the Postharvest Applications survey was not conducted. The 

Postharvest Applications survey will also not be conducted in 2008. 
The Agricultural Chemical Usage 2007 Fruit Summary scheduled for July 30, 2008, will not be 

published since the 2007 Fruit Chemical Usage survey was not conducted in 2007. Apples and 

organic apples are commodities of interest on the Agricultural Resource Management Survey 

(ARMS) Phase II. These data will be included in the Agricultural Chemical Usage 2007 Field 

Crops Summary on May 21, 2008. 

An Agricultural Chemical Usage 2008 Fruit Summary will not be published. The 2008 Fruit 

Chemical Usage survey will not be conducted in 2008.

There will be no Agricultural Chemical Usage 2008 Field Crops Summary published. 

The 2008 ARMS Phase II Chemical Usage data will not be collected. 

The Agricultural Chemical Usage 2008 Restricted Use Summary will not be published due to no 

chemical usage surveys being conducted. 

2007 Census of Agriculture

NASS will mail out Census forms on December 28, 2007 to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. 

Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the 

first time, they have the convenient option of filling out the Census online via a secure web site. 

Information from the Census will be available in February 2009. 

In preparation for the 2007 Census of Agriculture, NASS is undertaking the most comprehensive 

public outreach campaign in its history. Marketing efforts are aimed at educating producers about the 

importance of their participation, with a special focus on outreach to small, minority, limited-resource, 

and non-traditional farmers and ranchers – those who may not have been counted completely in the 

past. Components of the 2007 Census communications campaign include: 

3⁄4 Partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs), producer groups, agribusinesses, and 

sister USDA agencies; 

3⁄4 Participation in a wide variety of farm-oriented trade shows and conventions; 

3⁄4 Proactive media relations aimed at securing articles, editorials and other “free” coverage by key 

publications and broadcast outlets; 

3⁄4 Paid advertising in selected publications and on selected radio networks in areas with high 

concentrations of minority and limited-resource farmers; 

3⁄4 Public service (donated) advertising, both print and broadcast; 

3⁄4 Point-of-purchase displays (counter stands, tent cards and other materials) at retailers, elevators, 

banks, local USDA service centers, and other places where farmers conduct business; and 

3⁄4 Creation of a dedicated Census website – www.agcensus.usda.gov.

NASS INTERNET SITE

In December 2005, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched it’s newly redesigned 

web site at www.nass.usda.gov. 
The site continues to provide comprehensive statistical data on every facet of U.S. Agriculture. The 

Quick Stats Agricultural Statistics Database offers the ability to search for data by commodity, 

State(s), and year(s). National, State, and county level data can then be downloaded for easy use in a 

database or spreadsheet. Technological enhancements include a new Google-powered search engine, 

a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) interactive mapping application, and Rich Site Summary (RSS) 

news feeds. Data users are encouraged to bookmark the site and visit it often, as it will be frequently 

updated with new information. 
World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) 

Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), USDA 

Comments about World Agricultural Outlook Board programs may be directed to Gerald A. 

Bange, Chairperson, WAOB, Mail Stop 3812, South Building, USDA, Washington, D.C. 20250-

3812; (202) 720-6030; gbange@oce.usda.gov. 

World Board Update

Report Usage Grows. During the past year, WAOB issued 12 monthly World Agricultural 

Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports, as scheduled; and delivered 52 weekly 

Weather and Economics Briefing reports to the Secretary and top staff. Interagency Commodity 

Estimates Committees (ICECs), chaired by WAOB senior economists, cleared all USDA 

economic outlook reports to assure consistency with official USDA estimates. 

The WASDE report is among USDA’s most widely viewed reports. From October 2006 to 

August 2007, the WASDE was accessed 14,046 times on average per month on the USDA Web 

site. Also, the WASDE report has 6,991 subscribers on the USDA-Cornell site, which is operated 

by Cornell through a partnership relationship with USDA. 

WAOB staff prepared numerous special economic reports and weather assessments for the 

Secretary and Chief Economist. For example, WAOB analyzed the impact of the rapid growth 

of corn use for ethanol production on grain, livestock, and dairy markets; estimated probable 

crop losses associated with a severe freeze on California’s citrus industry; and, analyzed the 

probable impact of genetically modified rice on U.S. exports and prices. WAOB reviews and 

approves USDA’s estimates of corn use for ethanol production and monitors ethanol production 

capacity in the U.S., including plant expansion and new plants under construction. Also, WAOB 

continued to monitor and project the market impact of trade restrictions on U.S. beef products to 

Japan and South Korea. 

Foreign Information Exchange. 

• World Board Chairman Gerald Bange traveled to China to speak at the National Grains & 

Oilseeds Conference in July 2007. This was his eighth trip to China where he’s traveled to 

encourage greater exchange of data and statistical methodology in the effort to refine the 

sharing of global information sources. 

• USDA-WAOB Chief Meteorologist, Ray Motha, and Keith Menzie, Oilseeds Analyst, 

traveled to India late October-early November 2006. Motha was finishing his second term as 

president of the World Meteorological Organization’s Commission for Agricultural 

Meteorology. Menzie spoke to the Commission on how weather data are used to help 

determine global supply and demand estimates and the tools used to produce the analysis. 

Menzie also traveled throughout India meeting producers, oilseed processors, and government 

officials. 
• David Stallings, WAOB Senior Economist, traveled to Argentina in late May to speak about 

the USDA agricultural projections report at “Agrotendencias 2007,” a conference sponsored 

by private-sector grain handlers and processors. 

• Shayle Shagam, Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Analyst, traveled to Argentina and Uruguay in 

March 2007, to learn about production and markets and also exchange information about U.S. 

livestock systems. Shagam met with U.S. embassy officials, Argentine trade officers, 

producers, butchers, and also visited slaughter houses, markets, and feedlots. 

• Carol Skelly, Cotton Analyst, attended the China International Cotton Conference in 

Urumqui, China, and followed up with travel to Beijing. She met with a number of high-level 

Chinese government and industry officials to exchange views about the sources of 

discrepancies in the China cotton balance sheet. China is the world's largest cotton producer, 

consumer, and importer. Following these meetings, USDA departed from its long-standing 

policy and raised its cotton production estimate for China (2004 through 2006 crops) above 

the level indicated by the China National Bureau of Statistics. 

• Jerry Norton, Grains Analyst, traveled to Brussels, Belgium, in late September to speak on the 

impact of biofuels on world commodity markets at an Agra Informa conference. Norton 

presented an overview of the policy and market environment contributing to the ongoing 

expansion in ethanol and biodiesel production in the United States and discussed how that 

expansion is affecting U.S. grain and oilseed supplies and use. 

• In September, Keith Menzie and Mark Brusberg, Agricultural Meteorologist, traveled to 

Brasilia, Brazil, to meet with the agricultural department’s government meteorologists and 

crop analysts. They discussed potential data-sharing arrangements to enhance WAOB's 

meteorological analysis and crop estimation procedures. 

• WAOB also hosted visitors from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, and Russia. 

Weather Monitoring. The Joint Agricultural Weather Facility (JAWF), managed by WAOB 

and staffed by WAOB and National Weather Service personnel, issued daily national agricultural 

weather summaries and, in cooperation with the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 

published 52 issues of the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (WWCB). On a rotational basis, 

WAOB prepared issues of the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor, produced jointly with the National 

Weather Service and the National Drought Mitigation Center in Nebraska. WAOB’s JAWF also 

prepared numerous early warnings and assessments of significant weather events that affected 

agriculture. The meteorologists routinely describe projected storm tracks, wind speeds, and 

rainfall, and use GIS to delineate crop areas and project probable crop losses. 

From October 2006 to August 2007, the WWCB was accessed 20,065 times per month; and the 

Morning Weather Summary was accessed 4,259 times per month. WAOB’s Climatic Profiles

publication was accessed 29,087 times per month. 

USDA’s Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum. The 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum, 

organized by WAOB, attracted a record 1,865 attendees and wide press coverage. The 2007 

Forum featured Secretary Mike Johanns and leading CEOs focusing on the impact of bioenergy on 

agriculture. The program featured in-depth and timely sessions on the major issues, including the 

U.S. Farm Bill, affecting the agricultural sector. Publication of the 10-year baseline projections 

just prior to the Forum provided critical strategic planning information for firms in agriculture, 
food, and fiber industries. In association with the 2007 Agricultural Outlook Forum, WAOB 

initiated the Student Diversity Program for the purpose of increasing the diversity of agricultural 

professionals. Sponsors funded Forum attendance for 11 students from Land-Grant Colleges and 

Universities. The 2008 Forum will be held February 21-22 in Arlington, Virginia. More 

information is available at: www.usda.gov/oce/forum or contact Brenda Chapin at (202) 720-

5447 or email bchapin@oce.usda.gov. 

Web Sites: 

Office of the Chief Economist: www.usda.gov/oce/ 

World Agricultural Outlook Board: http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/index.htm
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 

Foreign Trade Division 

Each month the Foreign Trade Division of the United States Census Bureau (Census) releases the FT-900 

U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report, which is one of the principal economic indicators 

for the United States. This report along with other information can be found on our Web site at 

www.census.gov/trade

Current Issues of Interest 

Regulation 

The regulations mandating the electronic reporting of exports through the Automated Export 

System or AESDirect continue to await implementation. We still anticipate issuing these 

Regulations. However we do not have an estimated publication date. 

Data Products 

In February 2007 we added a containerization breakout for vessel shipments to the port data product on 

USA Trade Online. Anyone interested in a 30-day trial of this product should contact Fay Johnson at 

fay.m.johnson@census.gov or 301-763-2311. 

We are working to add a state export data product and data by the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS) within the next year. The state export data will be by Harmonized System code (2-, 4-, 

or 6-digit) or NAICS code (2-, 3-, or 4-digit) by country by state. The measures available will include 

total value, vessel value, air value, and vessel and air shipping weight. The NAICS data product will be 

by NAICS code (2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-digit) by country by district for imports and exports. The measures 

available will include total value, vessel value, air value, containerized value and vessel, air, and 

containerized shipping weight. 

Revisions 

Questionable data should be brought to our attention as early as possible. Please contact Paul Herrick of 

our Commodity Analysis Branch at paul.e.herrick@census.gov. 

Please review our revision policy at: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/guide/revisions.html

Revisions are posted on our website at: http://www.census.gov/foreigntrade/statistics/corrections/index.html

Other Foreign Trade Division Contacts: 

Website: www.census.gov/trade

Schedule B: www.census.gov/scheduleb

FTD References: www.census.gov/tradereference

FTD Statistics: www.census.gov/tradestats

Foreign Trade Data Products: (301)763-2227 or Fax: (301) 763-4347 

FTD Regulations: www.census.goc/traderegs

FTD AES: www.cesnsus.gov/aes

Correspondence can be written or faxed to: 

Foreign Trade Division 

U.S. Census Bureau 

Washington, D.C. 20233-0001 

Fax: (301) 457-1159 
 

Registrants/Participants 

2007 Data Users Meeting 

Name Organization E-Mail Address 

Abbe, Dave USDA / NASS / TX FO dave_abbe@nass.usda.gov

Agostino, Moe Farms.com Risk Management moe.agostino@farms.com

Aideyan, Victor Farms.com Risk Management victor.aideyan@farms.com

Aikman, Jim Rafter J Bar C LLC jim@aikmancattle.com

Asbridge, David Doane Advisory Services dasbridge@doane.com

Bange, Gerald USDA / WAOB gbange@oce.usda.gov 

Barnes, Kevin USDA / NASS / Environmental, Economics, 

and Demographics Branch 

kevin_barnes@nass.usda.gov

Basse, Daniel AgResource Company basse@agresource.com

Bates, Paul Bates Commodities pbates@insightbb.com

Bennett, Norman USDA / NASS / Survey Administration Branch norman_bennett@nass.usda.gov

Bilby, David CF Industries dbilby@cfindustries.com

Blumenthal, Gary World Perspectives, Inc. gblumenthal@agrilink.com

Bluntzer, Daniel Frontier Risk Management danielb@frontier-risk.com

Brandt, Rhonda USDA / NASS / SC FO rhonda_brandt@nass.usda.gov

Brase, Brian ADM Investor Services brian.brase@admis.com

Brugler, Alan Brugler Marketing & Management LLC alanb@bruglermktg.com

Burnett, Bruce Canadian Wheat Board bruce_burnett@cwb.ca

Carney, John Maple Leaf Consumer Foods carneyjp@mapleleaf.ca

Cekander, Dan Fimat USA, LLC dan.cekander@fimat.com

Clark, Shawn USDA / NASS / Livestock Branch shawn_clark@nass.usda.gov

Davey, Kelly Canadian Wheat Board kelly_davey@cwb.ca

Deaton, Larry USDA / FAS Larry.Deaton@FAS.USDA.GOV

Donetz, Marni Manitoba Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives Marni.Donetz@gov.mb.ca

Durchholz, Dale Agrivisor LLC/Growmark ddurchholz@agrivisor.com

Fejedelem, John Hormel Foods jrfejedelem@hormel.com

Feltes, Rich MF Global rfeltes@mfglobal.com

Ferguson, Harold USDA Federal Milk Order hferguson@fmma30.com

Fickert, Dave Commodity Futures Trading Commission dfickert@cftc.gov

Fingerman, Joel Fundamental Analytics joel.fingerman@fundamentalanalytics.com

Frahm, Don Informa Economics don.frahm@informaecon.com

Francl, Terry American Farm Bureau Federation terry@fb.org

Fulton, Tyler Mantioba Pork Marketing Co-op tyler@mpmc.mb.ca

Geuder, Jeff USDA / NASS / Crops Branch jgeuder@nass.usda.gov

Gidel, Jerry North American Risk Management Services jgidel@narmsinc.com

Gietz, Ronald Informa Economics ron.gietz@informaecon.com

Glaser, Lewrene USDA / ERS lkglaser@ers.usda.gov

Gleason, Todd University of Illinois tgleason@uiuc.edu
Registrants/Participants 

2007 Data Users Meeting 

Name Organization E-Mail Address 

Gredig, Peter Farms.com Risk Management peter.gredig@farms.com

Greene, Joel USDA / WAOB jlgreene@oce.usda.gov

Hansen, Dana RapidEye AG hansen@rapideye.de

Harkness, Hosea HSH Crop Consultant HSHCropConsultant@msn.com

Henderson, Cole Ploughman Analytics henderson@ploughman-analytics.com

House, Carol USDA / NASS / Deputy Administrator for 

Programs and Products 

chouse@nass.usda.gov

Ingram, Dan U.S. Dairy Export Council dingram@usdec.org

Isige, Suzanne Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board sisige@wmmb.org

Jackson, Shareefah USDA / NASS / Training and Career 

Development 

shareefah_jackson@nass.usda.gov

Jenner, Mark Biomass Rules, LLC mjenner@biomassrules.com

Johnson, Steven Iowa State University Extension sdjohns@iastate.edu

Karlin, Joel Western Milling jkarlin@westernmilling.com

Kerestes, Dan USDA / NASS / Livestock Branch dkerestes@nass.usda.gov

Kish, Jennifer USDA / NASS / Statistics Division jennifer_kish@nass.usda.gov 

Kloes, Matthew Northwest Farm Credit Services matthew.kloes@farm-credit.com

Koo, Gavin Absolute Return Capital/Bain Capital, LLC gkoo@baincapital.com

Lapp, Bill AES bill.lapp@advancedeconomicsolutions.com

Latterner, Art USDA / FAS Art.Latterner@FAS.USDA.GOV

Loeffler, Donald Loeffler Farms loeffler@dtnspeed.net

Lucht, Gene Iowa Farmer Today gene.lucht@hotmail.com

MacKenzie, Jeff MacKenzie Company mac@mackenzie.com

McDonald, Michael USDA Federal Milk Order mmcdonald@fmma30.com

Menzie, Keith USDA / WAOB kmenzie@oce.usda.gov

Meyer, Steve Paragon Economics steve@paragoneconomics.com

Miller, Mike Safeway Inc. mike.miller@safeway.com

Mullin, Carol Collin County Community College carolmullintx@tx.rr.com

Murphy, Kelly ECO-Producers kelly@ecoproducers.com

Nelson, William A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc. nelsonwl@agedwards.com

Niedfeldt, Gary Wayne Farms, LLC gary.niedfeldt@waynefarms.com

Norton, Jerry USDA / WAOB jnorton@oce.usda.gov

OMeara, Rick USDA / FAS Richard.OMeara@FAS.USDA.GOV

Peterson, Paul CME Group paul.peterson@cmegroup.com

Piszczor, Charles CME Group charles.piszczor@cmegroup.com

Plain, Ron University of Missouri plainr@missouri.edu

Pompelli, Greg USDA / ERS pompelli@ers.usda.gov

Prentice, Paul Blue Sun Biodiesel PaulPrentice@goBlueSun.com

Preston, Warren USDA / AMS Warren Preston-AMSE2K.@NJNASSAU
Registrants/Participants 

2007 Data Users Meeting 

Name Organization E-Mail Address 

Provance, Paul USDA / FAS paul.provance@fas.usda.gov

Prusacki, Joe USDA / NASS / IA FO joseph_prusacki@nass.usda.gov

Robb, James Livestock Marketing Information Center robb@lmic.info

Rocke, Tim USDA / FAS Tim.Rocke@FAS.USDA.GOV

Rosa, Erica Livestock Marketing Information Center rosa@lmic.info

Rose, Louis Aon Re louis_rose@arw.aon.com

Rowbotham, Rob Grande Milk Marketing, LLC rob.rowbotham@grande.com

Schambach, Duane CFTC dschambach@cftc.gov

Schmeltz, Glenn Murphy-Brown, LLC glennschmeltz@murphybrownllc.com

Schoening, Robert USDA / AMS robert.schoening@fmmacentral.com

Scholer, Eric Express Markets Inc. escholer@expressmarketsinc.com

Schwab, Brad USDA / NASS/ IL FO brad_schwab@nass.usda.gov

Shagam, Shayle USDA / WAOB sshagam@oce.usda.gov

Struthers, Raymond Lanworth Inc. rstruthers@lanworth.com

Stuart, Brett Cattle-Fax brett@cattle-fax.org

Taylor, Marjorie USDA / NASS / DAPP marjorie_taylor@nass.usda.gov

Thacker, Curt Dow Jones Newswires curt.thacker@dowjones.com

Thessen, Greg USDA / NASS / Crops Branch greg_thessen@nass.usda.gov

Trudell, Susan Express Markets, Inc. strudell@expressmarketsinc.com

Voeks, Jacquelyn Stewart-Peterson Group jvoeks@stewart-peterson.com

Wagner, Greg Iowa Grain Company heartlandusa@earthlink.net

Weaber, Dave Delhaize America dlweaber@foodlion.com

Welke, Margaret Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board mwelke@wmmb.org

Wiyatt, Steve USDA / NASS / Statistics Division steve_wiyatt@nass.usda.gov
Data Users Meeting 

Summary of Questions and Comments 

Rosemont, Illinois 

October 29, 2007 

Note: The following write-up presents a topical summary of issues discussed during the 

afternoon open forum. Discussions have been consolidated by topic. 

Dissemination of Data

A comment was made on AMS’s tremendous collection of data---price discovery is very 

important---but their dissemination of data is not good. Could AMS outsource to NASS, ERS, or 

a private firm to improve the website? Warren Preston replied that he agrees that access to 

reports needs to be improved and that AMS will be working on ways to make those 

improvements. 

One participant commented that NASS’s Quick Stats was a phenomenal tool! He also indicated 

that ERS could use more work on oilseeds and should put a link to NASS. He asked if ERS 

could get a price discovery system. Information on international trade of B100 biodiesel data 

would be helpful. Greg Pompelli indicated that ERS was working with Farm Foundation to 

improve data products.

A data user commented that the wheat data product is tremendous. It is good to see it updated 

and keeping up with market dynamics. 

A participant requested that the Executive Summary from the WASDE report be merged into the 

Crop Production report? For example, it could describe how much objective data was collected 

for the report. He would like to have HTML products available at the time of dissemination, so 

they could just be dropped into other websites for quick dissemination. Steve Wiyatt replied that 

he was not sure what additional information we could publish, but he would like to talk about 

this issue in more detail. 

A data user indicated that the WASDE summary for livestock is good. However, it is hard to use 

the tables on corn, beans, and wheat. He suggested a table showing current month, previous 

month, and previous year estimates for corn, beans and wheat exports. 

Cold Storage

A data user commented that he was glad that AMS had put an auditing feature into place for 

Cold Storage (dairy products). He asked whether anyone in the room used that data. A 

participant commented that he did use the Cold Storage data. In addition, another participant 

indicated that he is interested in looking at cheese products by variety. Steve Wiyatt indicated 

that publishing this data by variety would create potential disclosure issues even if re-aggregated 

back to the U.S. level. The question was pursued, whether NASS could aggregate back at the 

U.S. level on an annual basis only. Dan Kerestes indicated that NASS will review and see if this 

is possible. 

Ethanol and Energy

In a lengthy discussion about ethanol, one participant asked what were the drivers for month-tomonth corn ethanol usage. For plants that come on line later in the year, can USDA publicly 

provide capacity information, i.e. showing monthly change in capacity based on what is coming 
on line? Jerry Bange replied that it is hard to track this by just looking at plants coming on 

board. The World Board utilizes the Energy Information Agency’s (EIA) weekly data on 

blending.

Further discussion on ethanol production by participants: There are declining levels of 

utilization, but ethanol production is still profitable. The 51 cents credit is still helping 

significantly, particularly helping biodiesel being exported to Europe. 

One participant asked how to move the bio-preferred program process along. Is there a 

consensus of what the carbon footprint of ethanol is? Jerry Bange indicated that Roger Conway, 

Director of the Office Renewable Energy in USDA, would be the best person to whom to direct 

that question. 

Someone asked whether the Census Bureau was developing a report on energy? It is hard to 

combine everything together from the different data sources. Keith Menzie replied that the 

Census Bureau is in the process of expanding reports including biodiesel. He indicated that the 

Department of Commerce is meeting with EIA to work out data collection issues. 

There is a connection between renewable fuels standards and profitability. How strong an 

impact will the energy bill have on agriculture, not factoring additional legislation? 

Acreage, Production and Stocks

One data user asked what percent of objective yield reports that were analyzed for the latest Crop 

Progress report had actual grain weight. Greg Thessen replied 85 percent.

With large increases in acres in states that traditionally did not have large corn acreage--is NASS 

considering adding all theses states to Crop Progress reports? 

NASS did a special acreage survey on certain crops such as wheat in Texas, Oklahoma, and 

Kansas. The survey said 400,000 acres were abandoned in August, but by September the 

abandonment was 800,000. Rumor said many acres were zeroed out by insurance in mid-June. 

How do acreage changes occur throughout the year? How does a special report work? Why 

didn’t NASS pick it up all the abandonment until September? Steve Wiyatt replied that NASS 

conducts a special survey on crops when weather conditions prompt. This year, conditions 

changed as the season progressed and farmers’ expectations changed significantly. In 

September, we have a much larger sample of farmers than in August. This larger sample did a 

better job of picking up abandonment. 

Speaking about the adjustment NASS made to planted acres during forecast season, one 

participant asked whether there are any plans for NASS and USDA to publish Farm Service 

Agency administrative data? Because if not, the participant felt that individuals will be going en 

masse to USDA for access to this data. Steve Wiyatt responded that the administrative data is 

controlled by FSA, and they would have to make the decisions about any publication. 

One participant asked NASS about the upcoming December 1 stocks report --what’s going to 

happen to feed residual because NASS double counted on September 1? Has any thought been 

given to this? As new crop replaces old crop in exports, what will happen? Greg Thessen 

replied that NASS measures stocks on a specific reference date which eliminates double 

counting. The new crop stocks that may have been exported prior to September 1 would not be 

double counted but reported as old crop utilization in the old crop balance sheet rather than the 
new crop balance sheet. Since these exports were counted as utilization in the wrong crop year, 

this has the potential to increase the unexplained disappearance (feed and residual) of the new 

crop between September 1 and December 1. 

One data user requested that the Crop Progress report be released at 3:00 p.m. (est.) instead of 

4:00 p.m.? Steve Wiyatt indicated that the weekly timeline is now very tight, so this will not 

happen any time soon. 

One participant asked whether NASS gets access to Risk Management Agency (RMA) insurance 

data early in the year or only at the end. Greg Thessen replied that NASS usually gets the RMA 

acreage data at the end of the year. We have asked for the data earlier in the year but RMA has 

to wait until the data is reported to them from insurance companies. Given the lag time in 

reporting from adjusters to insurance companies to RMA, it is hard to get the abandon acreage 

from RMA before September. 

Export Sales/International Trade

With regards to China data, someone commented that groups seem to be more and more 

political. 

A data user commented that the biggest frustration he has is with data from Mexico regarding 

beef and pork. Weekly export data does not match monthly data. Has USDA looked at monthly 

FAS data vs. Census? There has been a large structural change from 5 years ago, and the data 

differences are becoming a bigger problem each month. Jerry Bange replied that this issue is of 

great concern to USDA, but they are not sure what the solution is. 

Does the World Board use the currency exchange rate in models for export projections? Jerry 

Bange replied “yes”.

 

One participant wanted to see more transparency in numbers. We see export inspections, 

preliminary, and 2nd preliminary on the wire service, but never see the final. Can USDA put this 

out to make it transparent to all data users? In particular this data user would like to see previous 

numbers added to the adjustment to produce one new number. 

For online systems, what HTS level will be available (6-digit or 10-digit) and when will it be 

available? Warren Preston indicated that AMS is moving forward, but progress is contingent on 

funding. He is not sure where it stands. 

With regards to wheat, there are many disparities between forecasted USDA (WASDE) wheat 

export numbers and private forecasts. What is your confidence in your numbers? What will you 

be looking at for November? Jerry Bange replied that he is confident that WAOB uses the best 

information possible 

Grain Storages/ Trading

The ten year average corn production harvested by September in Mississippi, Arkansas, and 

Louisiana is 80 million bushels. This year it was 230 million which means 150 million bushels 

moved immediately to the river barge replacing exports markets in the Midwest. 

Clients are moving grain in containers. Is NASS catching this trade? What is your confidence in 

catching this? Do we pick up grain storage from livestock integrators? Steve Wiyatt said yes, 
we treat them all as Off-Farm Storage Facilities. A data user commented that export sales should 

catch container sales. 

Beef

A comment was made on the growing importance of National Box Beef Report for looking at 

trends in the beef industry. 

Other Issues or Comments

With increased future participation by index funds and investment groups in commodity markets, 

do you see a broadening of your data user base? 

A data user suggested that the Chief Economist be invited to the next data users meeting. There 

are transparency issues. Dr. Collins testified on the Hill on numbers two months ago. Where did 

the 2008 crop acres come from? What involvement did economists have? Was it independent? 

Some data users felt blindsided because there was no public notification ahead of time that Dr. 

Collins would be addressing these questions. Jerry Bange replied that Keith was called to the 

Hill on short notice. He answered the questions posed to him to the best of his knowledge and 

opinion, including some projections. The whole of Dr. Collins testimony became public record 

quickly.