USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service

Questions and Answers about Statistical Reporting Procedures 

How does NASS ensure there is no early release of its crop and livestock reports? 

NASS prepares reports under tight security and is committed to protecting these reports until 

they are publicly released at preannounced dates and times. All of our pre-release estimates and 

reports are protected by a comprehensive set of physical and electronic security measures. 

Particularly sensitive reports, like our in-season crop production forecasts, are prepared and 

released in a “Lockup” environment.

What is Lockup and why is it important? 

Anyone having early access to sensitive information would have an obvious advantage in trading 

on the commodities market. Lockup ensures that no information is released early to anyone. Not 

even the Secretary of Agriculture knows a report’s contents until he enters the Lockup area to 

sign the report just prior to release. Equal simultaneous public access to data for all is a hallmark 

of NASS reports. 

The process begins when NASS field offices transmit encrypted estimates to headquarters. The 

encrypted data are secured, still in an encrypted form, until the Lockup area is physically 

secured. This means an officer is stationed at the single entry point, the doors are locked and 

alarmed, the windows are covered with shades that are secured with tamper resistant seals, and 

all telephone and Internet connections are switched off. Only authorized personnel are allowed 

to enter this area, and once someone enters they may not leave until the Lockup ends and the 

report is publically released. Everyone entering Lockup leaves cell phones and other wireless 

devices outside and signs an agreement to that effect. Additionally, the Lockup area is 

continually monitored for cell phone and wireless transmissions. 

Does NASS allow news reporters early access to reports? 

NASS used to allow pre-release media Lockup access, but that policy has changed, effective 

August 1, 2018, in response to changes in technology, the speed of communications, and 

electronic trading platforms. For more information, see the USDA News Release issued July 10, 

2018. 

How does NASS ensure that its employees keep information secure until the release date 

and time? 

NASS employees work on hundreds of published reports each year and security is a top priority 

at all times. Every NASS field office and headquarters unit employs strict security procedures 

when working on reports. Each employee, or person working in cooperation with NASS, signs a 

confidentiality form each year and is subject to termination of employment, fines, or 

imprisonment for disclosing confidential information. 

Only NASS employees working on a specific report have access to the data, and work areas are 

limited to employees involved in the report process. Employees who do not have direct 

July 10, 2018 
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service

Questions and Answers about Statistical Reporting Procedures

July 10, 2018 

involvement with a specific report are prohibited from accessing the data until they are released 

to the public. 

Whether employees are preparing weekly broiler numbers, monthly crop production forecasts, 

annual cattle inventories, or the 5-year Census of Agriculture results, security procedures ensure 

protection from premature disclosure of the data prior to the official release time. 

How does NASS keep an individual’s identifying information confidential?

Confidentiality of personal identifying information, as well as the security of data, are the highest 

priorities for NASS. Each employee takes this responsibility seriously. All information 

collected by NASS about individuals or operations under a pledge of confidentiality is protected 

by law. Every person working for or in cooperation with NASS – from the Agency 

Administrator to the person collecting the information – signs a confidentiality form which states 

that no confidential reported information will be compromised. This includes sworn agents who 

are authorized by NASS to provide data collection support or statistical research. Any offender is 

subject to a jail term (5 years), a fine ($250,000), or both. 

Are NASS statistics influenced by political leaders or agendas or market pressures? 

No. NASS reports are not influenced by any pressures or politics. NASS reports are the official 

USDA estimates prepared under objective, nonpartisan, statistically sound procedures. The 

reports are reviewed internally and released with the final approval of the Agricultural Statistics 

Board. All members of the Board and the NASS Administrator are career civil servants. Prior 

to release of a report from Lockup, the Secretary of Agriculture or a designated representative 

signs the report. The Secretary is then briefed on the details in the report. However, the report is 

not changed as a result of this briefing. 

Federal Statistical Directives # 3 and #4 are designed to preserve and enhance the objectivity and 

transparency, in fact and in perception, of the processes used to release and disseminate NASS 

statistics. These directives are USDA regulation; they ensure equitable, policy-neutral, and 

timely release of information to the general public.