# USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service

National Agricultural Statistics Service provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U. S. agriculture.

- US farmers expect to plant less corn and more soybean acres Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant 90.0 million acres of corn in 2024, down 5% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to host Data Users’ Meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting April 16 from 1-4:30 p.m. CDT, at the University of Chicago – Gleacher Center. A virtual attendance option is also available. The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
- USDA releases 2022 Census of Agriculture data The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level. The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms.
- United States cattle inventory down 2% There were 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to kick off the National Agricultural Classification Survey Already preparing for the 2027 Census of Agriculture, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) starting Jan. 24. The survey, an important step in determining who should receive a 2027 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, will go to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they conduct agricultural activity. The results of the survey will ensure that every U.S. producer, no matter how large or small their operation, has a voice and is counted in the highly anticipated and influential agricultural census data.
- United States hog inventory up slightly As of Dec. 1, there were 75.0 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from December 2022 and down slightly from Sept. 1, 2023, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to conduct study on sheep and lamb health and management This December through July 2024, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) are partnering to conduct a national study focusing on sheep and lamb health and management in the United States. This study, conducted approximately every 10 years, consists of two phases and includes biological sampling and two questionnaires.
- NASS Inducts Two Former Employees into Hall of Fame Today, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted two former employees to its Hall of Fame. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides to the nation. This year’s inductees are Carol House and Raymond “Ron” Bosecker.
- USDA to conduct the 2023 Census of Aquaculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced that starting Dec. 18 they will mail the 2023 Census of Aquaculture to all producers who indicated in their 2022 Census of Agriculture that they produce and sell aquaculture products. The deadline to respond is Jan. 15, 2024.
- USDA invites agriculture producers to respond online to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey Today, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed survey codes to a selected sample of irrigators across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey.
- USDA announces 2022 Census of Agriculture data release details, preliminary return rate, and upcoming special studies The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on February 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection this summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61%. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million producers across the United States and Puerto Rico late last year. NASS plans to release the data from the 2022 Puerto Rico Census of Agriculture in summer 2024. Early next year, NASS will conduct the Census of Agriculture in the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- USDA’s NASS and ERS attending National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s 2023 Trade Talk Representatives from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Economic Research Service (ERS) will be available for interviews at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Trade Talk at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Nov. 16.
- Morris Hansen Lecture keynote speaker will discuss model selection in surveys The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will host the 31st Annual Morris Hansen Lecture Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. EST at USDA’s Washington, DC, offices at 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Jefferson Auditorium, South Building. The lecture topic is model selection in surveys. A reception will follow from 5:30–6:30 p.m. EST at USDA’s Whitten Building, across Independence Avenue. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
- US corn and soybean production down from September Corn and soybean production is down from September 2023, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, down less than 1% from the previous forecast but up 10% from last year; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 4% from 2022, forecast at 4.10 billion bushels.
- US corn ending stocks down 1% from last year, soybean ending stocks down 2% The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today showed that old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2023, totaled 1.36 billion bushels, down 1% from Sept. 1, 2022. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 2% from Sept. 1, 2022, and all wheat stocks were up slightly from a year earlier.
- United States hog inventory up slightly As of Sept. 1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from September 2022 and up 2% from June 1, 2023, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to host virtual Data Users’ Meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually via Zoom for Government Oct. 17-18 from noon-3 p.m. EDT. The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share recent and pending statistical program changes with the public and to solicit input on these and other programs important to agriculture.
- USDA forecasts US corn production up, soybean and cotton production down from 2022 Corn production is up, while soybean and cotton production is down from 2022, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 3% from 2022, forecast at 4.15 billion bushels; cotton production is down 9% from 2022 at 13.1 million 480-pound bales.
- USDA forecasts US corn up and soybean production down from 2022 The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production up from 2022 and soybean production down from last year. Corn production is up 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2% from 2022, forecast at 4.21 billion bushels.
- United States cattle inventory down 3% There were 95.9 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of July 1, 2023, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Corn planted acreage up 6% from 2022 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 94.1 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2023, up 6% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 83.5 million acres, down 5% from last year.
- United States hog inventory up slightly As of June 1, there were 72.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from June 2022 and down 1% from Mar. 1, 2023, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Last chance to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture,One week left to return the questionnaire The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will end data collection for the 2022 Census of Agriculture on May 31. Producers who have not yet returned their completed questionnaires have just one week left to respond. Federal law requires everyone who received the ag census to complete and return it. Recipients can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.
- United States hog inventory up slightly As of March 1, there were 72.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 2022 but down 2% from Dec. 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to host Data Users’ Meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting April 18 from 1-4:30 p.m. CT at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City – Omaha Branch. A virtual attendance option will also be available. The meeting is free and open to the public.
- Still time to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture,USDA to follow up with producers who have not yet responded Farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Although the deadline for submitting the ag census has just passed, NASS will continue to accept completed census questionnaires through the spring to ensure all farmers and ranchers take advantage of the opportunity to be represented in the widely used data.
- United States cattle inventory down 3% There were 89.3 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2023, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- 2022 Census of Agriculture due next week Feb. 6 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds our nation’s farmers and ranchers that the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is Feb. 6. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.
- Corn and soybean production down in 2022, USDA reportsCorn stocks down, soybean stocks down from year earlierWinter Wheat Seedings up for 2023 Production for both corn and soybeans declined from last year, according to the 2022 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- United States hog inventory down 2% As of Dec. 1, there were 73.1 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from December 2021 and down 1% from Sept. 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- 2022 Census of Agriculture underway, USDA mails forms to nation’s producers Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed the 2022 Census of Agriculture paper questionnaires to all known agriculture producers across the nation and Puerto Rico. Last month, producers in the states received their survey codes with an invitation to respond online. Any producer who did not respond online now has the option to complete the ag census at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. Producers who have already responded to the 2022 Census of Agriculture online do not need to respond again. The deadline for response is Feb. 6, 2023.
- USDA, local partners conduct Puerto Rico 2022 Census of Agriculture This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed the Puerto Rico 2022 Census of Agriculture to all known agriculture producers in every municipio. The deadline for response is Feb. 6, 2023. Ag producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. The ag census is the only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories as well as for every state and county in the nation. By completing the ag census, producers can tell their story and help generate impactful opportunities that better serve them and future generations of producers.
- El USDA y sus socios locales realizan el Censo de Agricultura de Puerto Rico 2022 Esta semana, el Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés) envió por correo el Censo de Agricultura de Puerto Rico 2022 a todos los productores agropecuarios conocidos en cada municipio y la fecha límite para responder es el 6 de febrero de 2023. Los productores agropecuarios pueden responder en línea en agcounts.usda.gov o por correo. El Censo de Agricultura es la única información agropecuarios completa e imparcial para Puerto Rico y otros territorios de los EE.UU., así como para todos los estados y condados de la nación. Al completar el Censo de Agricultura, los productores pueden contar su historia y ayudar a generar oportunidades de impacto que les sirvan mejor a ellos y a las futuras generaciones de productores.
- USDA releases 2021 Organics data Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Organic Survey, which show total sales of $11.2 billion in organic products, an increase of $1.28 billion, or 13%, from 2019. There were 17,445 certified organic farms, a 5% increase from 2019.
- USDA seeks nominations for the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Members of this committee advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, timing and content of periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture, and other related industries. The committee also makes recommendations on the content of agriculture reports and represents the views and data needs of suppliers and users of agricultural statistics.
- USDA invites ag producers to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed survey codes to all known agriculture producers across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at agcounts.usda.gov. The ag census is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory. By completing the survey, producers across the nation can tell their story and help generate impactful opportunities that better serve them and future generations of producers.
- USDA to host virtual Data Users’ Meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually Nov. 15 from noon-3:30 p.m. EST. The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share recent and pending statistical program changes with the public and to solicit input on these and other programs important to agriculture. The event is organized by NASS in cooperation with the World Agricultural Outlook Board, Farm Service Agency, Economic Research Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Foreign Agricultural Service and U.S. Census Bureau. The meeting is free and open to the public.
- US corn and soybean production down from September Corn and soybean production is down from September 2022, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is down 8% from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 3% from 2021, forecast at 4.31 billion bushels.
- United States hog inventory down 1% As of Sept. 1, there were 73.8 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 1% from September 2021 but up 2% from June 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture celebrate 50-year partnership The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) are celebrating 50 years of working together to provide timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.
- USDA forecasts U.S. corn, soybean, and cotton production down from 2021 Corn, soybean, and cotton production is down from 2021, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS to review acreage information USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will review all available data, including survey data, satellite-based data, and the latest information from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency for planted and harvested acreage for chickpeas, corn, cotton, dry edible peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets in preparation for the September Crop Production report. If the data review justifies any changes, NASS will publish updated planted and harvested acreage estimates in the Sept. 12 report.
- USDA NASS reschedules 2021 Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations data highlights release The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has rescheduled the Sept. 15, 2022, Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations data highlights release. The new release date is Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, at 3 p.m. EDT. NASS is taking this action to provide additional time for data collection and increase response rates.
- USDA announces details for the upcoming Census of Agriculture America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to be represented in the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and territory. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mail the 2022 Census of Agriculture to millions of agriculture producers across the 50 states and Puerto Rico this fall.
- El Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (USDA) anuncia los detalles del próximo censo Los agricultores y ganaderos estadounidenses pronto tendrán la oportunidad de estar representados en el único relevamiento integral e imparcial de datos agrícolas de cada estado, condado y territorio del país. Este otoño, el Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (USDA) enviará por correo el Censo de Agricultura 2022 a millones de productores agrícolas de los 50 estados y Puerto Rico.
- USDA forecasts U.S. corn down and soybean production up from 2021 The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production down from 2021 and soybean production up from last year. Corn production is down 5% from last year, forecast at 14.4 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 2% from 2021, forecast at 4.53 billion bushels.
- United states cattle inventory down 2 percent There were 98.8 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of July 1, 2022, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Corn planted acreage down 4% from 2021,Soybean acreage up 1% from last year The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 89.9 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2022, down 4% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 88.3 million acres, up 1% from last year.
- United States hog inventory down 1% As of June 1, there were 72.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 1% from June 2021 and down slightly from March 1, 2022, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Producers have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture Agriculture producers who did not receive the 2017 Census of Agriculture and do not receive other USDA surveys or censuses have until June 30 to sign up to receive the 2022 Census of Agriculture at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail ag census survey codes for responding securely online to every known U.S. producer this November. Hard copy questionnaires will follow in December.
- USDA forecasts winter wheat production down in 2022 U.S. farmers are expected to produce 1.17 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, according to the Crop Production report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In NASS’s first winter wheat production forecast for 2022, production is expected to decrease 8% from 2021. As of May 1, the U.S. yield is expected to average 47.9 bushels per acre, down 2.3 bushels from last year’s average of 50.2 bushels per acre.
- USDA releases Local Food Marketing Practices Data Over 147,000 U.S. farms produced and sold food locally through direct marketing practices, resulting in $9.0 billion in revenue in 2020, according to the Local Food Marketing Practices data released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The data covers both fresh and value-added foods, such as meat and cheese.
- NASS inducts two former employees into 2022 Hall of Fame Today, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted to its Hall of Fame two former employees whose impact continues to influence the agency’s programs. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides to the nation. This year’s inductees are Sue Horstkamp and Joseph T. Reilly.
- USDA to host Data Users’ Meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, from 1–4:30 p.m. CDT. The event will be held at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center. A virtual attendance option will also be available. The meeting is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
- US farmers expect to plant more soybeans and less corn acreage Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant a record high 91.0 million acres of soybeans in 2022, up 4% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- United States hog inventory down 2% As of March 1, there were 72.2 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from March 2021 and down 3% from Dec. 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA NASS to livestream agricultural data briefings, enhances public access to valuable information On March 30, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will livestream the Secretary of Agriculture’s data report briefing for the first time. This and future Secretary data briefings will stream on NASS’s YouTube channel five minutes after NASS reports are released to the public. This Hogs and Pigs briefing will be live at 3:05 p.m. ET.
- USDA to gather new data on certified organic agriculture production The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2021 Organic Survey to gather new data on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States. This effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production on the nation.
- Evaluating and addressing biases in non-probability samples, topic of the upcoming 29th annual Morris Hansen Lecture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will host the 29th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture via Zoom webcast on Tuesday, March 1 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. EST. The Washington Statistical Society established the lecture series to honor Morris Hansen and his pioneering contributions to survey sampling and related statistical methods during his long and distinguished career at the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Value of hemp production totaled $824 million in 2021 Today, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey in its National Hemp Report. The survey collected data for hemp grown in the open and hemp under protection. Planted area for industrial hemp grown in the open for all utilizations in the United States totaled 54,152 acres. Area harvested for all utilizations totaled 33,480 acres. The value of U.S. hemp production in the open totaled $712 million. The value of production for hemp that was grown under protection in the United States totaled $112 million. Area under protection totaled 15.6 million square feet.
- USDA extends due date to March 7 for National Agricultural Classification Survey USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) wants recipients of the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) to know that there is still time to respond. Mailed last December to more than a million potential U.S. agricultural producers, the NACS collects data on agricultural activity and basic farm information. These data will be used to build a survey recipient list for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Response to the NACS is required by federal law for all who receive the questionnaire, even if the recipient is not an active farmer or rancher. Questionnaires can be completed securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or phone. The response deadline is extended to March 7.
- United States cattle inventory down 2% There were 91.9 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2022, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA To Conduct First-Ever National Agroforestry Survey Starting next week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the first-ever National Agroforestry Survey. Data collection begins Feb. 1 and concludes April 5, 2022. The survey will be sent to 11,100 farmers and ranchers nationwide to gather information on the five agroforestry practices used for climate, conservation and production benefits, including windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping as well as forest farming and multi-story cropping.
- NASS conducts new surveys and makes strides to reduce barriers and enhance equity in accessing vital agricultural data As a new year kicks off, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reflects on major milestones achieved during 2021. The agricultural community gained two new geospatial decision support tools, and will soon have first-time data on hemp production, conservation practice adoption motivations, farmer demographics, and agroforestry practices.
- Corn and soybean production up in 2021, USDA Reports: Corn and soybean stocks up from year earlier, winter Wheat Seedings up for 2022 Increased acreage and higher yields for corn and soybeans led to record high soybean production and near-record high corn production, according to the 2021 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- United States hog inventory down 4% As of Dec. 1, there were 74.2 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 4% from December 2020 and down 1% from Sept. 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to test 2022 Census of Agriculture online questionnaire in new Respondent Portal Starting in January, approximately 15,000 agricultural producers across the nation and the various segments of U.S. agriculture will receive an invitation to assist in the online 2022 Census of Agriculture Content Test. The Content Test, which will run through spring, is a critical part of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS’s) preparation for the once-every-five-year Census of Agriculture.  Participants in the test will be asked to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture online questionnaire via a new Respondent Portal aimed to improve the reporting experience for all producers.
- USDA To Conduct Study About Agricultural Producers The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2021 Farm Producer Study to improve knowledge and understanding of agricultural producers and help USDA improve services to them. A brief questionnaire will mail this month to approximately 75,000 U.S. agricultural producers across the country. Taking no more than 10 minutes to complete, the questionnaire asks participants for demographic and basic farm information. Producers can respond securely online at www.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. The deadline for response is Jan. 18, 2022.
- USDA to begin National Agricultural Classification Survey in preparation for upcoming 2022 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mails the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) this month to more than a million potential U.S. agricultural producers, in preparation for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The NACS will ask survey recipients if they are involved in agricultural activity and for basic farm information. Response to the NACS is required by law for all who receive the questionnaire, even if the recipient is not an active farmer or rancher. Questionnaires can be completed online or by mail. The response deadline is Jan. 24.
- Producers still have time to respond to USDA hemp survey It is not too late to respond to the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The survey collects information on the acreage, yield, production, price and value of hemp in the United States.
- CroplandCROS web app updates existing geospatial data product for agricultural commodities in the United States USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and Agricultural Research Service have announced enhancements to the CropScape web app, allowing users to more easily conduct area and statistical analysis of planted U.S. commodities.
- USDA NASS conducts its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey to 20,500 producers across the nation, beginning Oct. 18. The hemp survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States.
- US corn and soybean production up from September Corn and soybean production is up from September 2021, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 3% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 5% from 2020, forecast at 4.45 billion bushels.
- US corn ending stocks down 36% from September 2020, Soybean ending stocks down 51% from last year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today showed that old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2021, totaled 1.24 billion bushels, down 36% from Sept. 1, 2020. Old crop soybeans stored in all positions were down 51% from Sept. 1, 2020, and all wheat stocks were down 18% from a year earlier.
- United States hog inventory down 4% As of Sept. 1, there were 75.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 4% from September 2020 but up 1% from June 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to host special virtual data users’ meeting to gather public input on statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually Oct. 13 and 14 from noon-3 p.m. ET. The meeting is free and open to the public. The Data Users’ Meeting is held to share recent and pending statistical program changes with the public and to solicit input on these and other programs important to agriculture.
- USDA forecasts U.S. corn, soybean, and cotton production up from 2020 Corn, soybean, and cotton production is up from 2020, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 6% from last year, forecast at 15.0 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 6% from 2020, forecast at 4.37 billion bushels; cotton production is up 27% from 2020 at 18.5 million 480-pound bales.
- USDA forecasts U.S. corn and soybean production up from 2020 The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted soybean and corn production up from 2020. Soybean production is up 5% from last year, forecast at 4.34 billion bushels; corn growers are expected to increase their production 4% from 2020, forecast at 14.8 billion bushels.
- United States Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent There were 101 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of July 1, 2021, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Corn planted acreage up 2% from 2020, Soybean acreage up 5% from last year The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 92.7 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2021, up 2% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 87.6 million acres, up 5% from last year.
- United States hog inventory down 2 percent As of June 1, there were 75.7 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from June 2020 but up 1% from March 1, 2021, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Still Time to Respond to USDA’s National Agricultural Classification Survey If you missed the deadline to respond to USDA’s National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS), it is not too late. A second survey reminder is coming soon and responding online is easier than ever before. The survey, one of the most important steps in determining who should receive a 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, asks recipients if they are involved in any agricultural activity. A portion of the potential producers who received the survey responded last month.
- NASS Honors Three Former Employees in 2021 Hall of Fame Induction USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today inducted to its Hall of Fame three former employees whose impact continues to influence the agency and its staff. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides.
- USDA’s National Agricultural Classification Survey is Underway The USDA’s National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) is arriving in mailboxes around the nation. The survey, one of the most important steps in determining who should receive a 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, asks recipients if they are involved in agricultural activity. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently mailed the NACS to 633,000 potential agricultural producers. NASS requests that each person who receives the survey respond by May 3.
- USDA Weekly Crop Progress Reporting Begins Planting has begun for barley, corn, cotton, oats, rice, sorghum, spring wheat, and sugarbeets, according to the first Crop Progress report issued for the 2021 planting season by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). By this time last year, 2% of the corn crop had been planted, 2% has been planted so far in 2021. Six percent of the cotton crop has been planted, 1 percentage point behind the same time last year. Fourteen percent of the sorghum crop has been planted, 1 percentage point behind a year ago. Barley, oats, rice, spring wheat and sugarbeet plantings are similar to 2020 progress.
- US farmers expect to plant more corn and soybean acreage Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 91.1 million acres of corn in 2021, up less than 1% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- United States Hog Inventory Down 2% As of March 1, there were 74.8 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2% from March 2020, and down 3% from December 1, 2020, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to Host Special Two-Day Virtual Data Users’ Meeting to Gather Public Input on Statistical Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will hold its biannual Data Users’ Meeting virtually April 14 and 15 from noon-3 p.m. ET. This is the first time the event will span two afternoons. The meeting is free and open to the public.
- NASA Data Powers New USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Soil Moisture Portal Farmers, researchers, meteorologists and others now have access to high-resolution NASA data on soil moisture, thanks to a new tool developed by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in collaboration with NASA and George Mason University (GMU).
- Still Time to Be Counted in the 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey Farmers and ranchers still have time to respond to their 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS will continue to accept responses through April to ensure an accurate picture of U.S. local and regional food systems.
- United States cattle inventory down slightly There were 93.6 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2021, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture Content Test is underway Many agricultural producers across the United States recently received 2022 Census of Agriculture Content Test materials. The Content Test, which runs through spring, is a critical part of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) preparation for the nation’s once-every-five-year Census of Agriculture. NASS selected approximately 36,000 producers to participate in the survey to ensure representation across all segments of U.S. agriculture.
- Family-owned farms account for 96% of U.S. farms, according to theCensus of Agriculture Typology Report Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms, account for 87% of land in farms, and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National
- Corn and soybean production up in 2020, USDA Reports Increased acreage and higher yields for corn and soybeans allowed both crops to return to more typical production levels, according to the 2020 Crop Production Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- United States Hog Inventory Down 1% As of December 1, there were 77.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 1 percent from December 2019 and down 1 percent from September 1, 2020, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Horticulture Operations Report $13.8 Billion in Sales Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties report, the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States. The data show that horticulture operations sold a total of $13.8 billion in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2019, down fractionally from the sales in 2014. The number of horticulture operations in the United States decreased 11% during this time to 20,655.
- USDA to Conduct 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, beginning this December. First conducted in 2015, this Census of Agriculture special study will look at local and regional food systems and provide new data on how locally grown food in the United States are marketed and sold. The results will be available in November 2021.
- USDA Appoints Members to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has appointed 22 members to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. The committee advises the Secretary on surveys of agriculture and other related surveys; the periodic Census of Agriculture; and the types of agricultural information to obtain from respondents. The Committee also prepares recommendations regarding the content of agricultural reports and presents the views and needs for data of suppliers and users of agriculture statistics.
- 2019 Organic Survey results show sales up 31% from 2016 Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2019 Organic Survey, which show total sales of $9.93 billion in organic products, an increase of $2.37 billion, or 31% percent, from 2016. There were 16,585 certified organic farms, a 17% increase from 2016, which accounted for 5.50 million certified acres, an increase of 9% over 2016.
- U.S. Corn and Soybean Production Down from September Corn and soybean production is down from September 2020, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 8% from last year, forecast at 14.7 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 20% from 2019, forecast at 4.27 billion bushels.
- USDA hosts virtual Data Users’ Meeting to seek public input on its statistical programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will host a virtual Data Users’ Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET. NASS holds this biannual event to share recent and pending program changes, and to solicit comments and input on various data and information programs important to agriculture. Usually held in person, this online meeting remains free of charge and open to the public.
- US corn ending stocks down 10% from September 2019, Soybean ending stocks down 42% from last year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Grain Stocks report released today showed that old crop corn stocks on hand as of Sept. 1, 2020 totaled 2.00 billion bushels, down 10% from Sept. 1, 2019.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 1% The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that there were 79.1 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms as of Sept. 1, 2020, up 1% from September 2019, but down 1% from June 1, 2020, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today.
- USDA forecasts US corn and soybean production up from 2019 Corn and soybean production is up from 2019, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Soybean production is up 21% from last year, forecast at 4.31 billion bushels; corn growers are expected to increase their production 9% from 2019, forecast at 14.9 billion bushels.
- USDA Forecasts US Corn and Soybean Production Up from 2019 The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted soybean and corn production up from 2019. Soybean production is up 25% from last year, forecast at 4.42 billion bushels; corn growers are expected to increase their production 12% from 2019, forecast at a record high 15.3 billion bushels.
- United States Cattle Inventory Up Slightly There were 103.0 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of July 1, 2020, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Releases 2018 Census of Agriculture Data for American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released 2018 Census of Agriculture data for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the first update to agricultural data for the four areas in over 10 years.
- Corn Planted Acreage Up 3 percent from 2019, Soybean Acreage Up 10 percent from Last Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 92.0 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2020, up 3% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 83.8 million acres, up 10% from last year.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 5 Percent As of June 1, there were 79.6 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 5 percent from June 2019, and up 3 percent from March 1, 2020, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA forecasts winter wheat production down in 2020, Releases new data on previously unharvested corn and soybean acreage in four states U.S. farmers are expected to produce 1.25 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, according to the Crop Production report released today by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In NASS’ first winter wheat production forecast for 2020, production is expected to decrease 4% from 2019. As of May 1, the U.S. yield is expected to average 51.7 bushels per acre, down 1.9 bushels from last year’s average of 53.6 bushels per acre.
- Preparing for the 2022 Census of Agriculture, NASS sends National Agricultural Classification Survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recently mailed the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) to 350,000 potential farmers and ranchers. The NACS will help identify all those engaged in agricultural activity in the country to ensure that they are included in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. NASS requests that each person who receives the NACS respond by May 4, 2020.
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant More Corn and Soybean Acreage Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 97.0 million acres of corn in 2020, up 8% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to Hold Online Meeting for Stakeholders to Gather Input about Statistical Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will host its annual USDA Data Users’ Meeting on Tuesday, April 21st as a virtual meeting. The event is regularly held to share recent and pending program changes, and to solicit comments and input on various data and information programs important to agriculture. Usually held in person, this online Data Users’ Meeting remains free of charge and open to the public and will take place from 1:00-3:30 p.m. (ET). Links to the webinar will be shared with participants after registration.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 4 Percent As of March 1, there were 77.6 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from March 2019, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2019, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA NASS remains operational and reports on schedule amid COVID-19, asks farmers and ranchers to complete surveys online The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) statistical reports remain on schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the March 26 Hogs and Pigs and March 31 Prospective Plantings reports. NASS also continues to collect data for all upcoming reports, asking farmers and ranchers to complete their surveys online, if they don’t already respond that way. To protect the health and safety of producers, partners, and employees, NASS has suspended in-person data collection at least until April 3, 2020.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of December 1, there were 77.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 3 percent from December 2018, but down slightly from September 1, 2019, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- It’s Time to Respond to Census of Horticultural Specialties and Organic Survey The 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties and the 2019 Organic Survey are both underway now and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is asking those who receive questionnaires to respond quickly and online if possible.  Responding online is user friendly, accessible on most electronic devices, and saves valuable time by calculating totals and automatically skipping questions not applicable to an operation.
- USDA Releases the 2018 Census of Aquaculture Results Total sales of aquaculture products in 2018 was $1.5 billion, an increase of 10.5% from 2013, according to the 2018 Census of Aquaculture released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. In 2018, there were 2,932 aquaculture farms with sales in the United States, down 5% from 2013. Five states – Mississippi, Washington, Louisiana, Virginia, and California – accounted for 51% of aquaculture sales and 37% of aquaculture farms in 2018.
- USDA to Conduct the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties this winter to provide a comprehensive picture of the U.S. horticulture industry. Survey codes will be mailed this month to more than 40,000 horticulture producers to respond online. Collected just once every five years, the Census of Horticultural Specialties is the only source of detailed production and sales data for U.S. floriculture, nursery, and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food crops.
- USDA 2019 Organic Survey to get underway The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail letters with survey codes this December to more than 22,000 U.S. producers involved in certified or transitioning to certified organic farming for the 2019 Organic Survey. Each producer who self-reported organic farming in the 2017 Census of Agriculture will receive a unique survey code to respond conveniently online and to be represented in this very important, once-every-five-year data.
- 2018 Irrigation and Water Management data now available There were 231,474 farms with 55.9 million irrigated acres, which included 83.4 million acre-feet of water applied in the United States, according to the 2018 Irrigation and Water Management Survey results, published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In 2013, the irrigation survey results showed that there were 229,237 farms with 55.3 million irrigated acres, which included 88.5 million acre-feet of water. The results show that though the number of farms irrigating and the amount of land irrigated increased slightly between 2013 and 2018, the total amount of water used for irrigation declined.
- NASS announces release of 2017 Census of Agriculture Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Profiles The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released 2017 Census of Agriculture data tabulated by race, ethnicity, and gender. Located on the NASS website, these national, state, and county-level data profiles highlight number of farms, land in farms, land use, value of sales, and producer characteristics, such as years of experience, average age, and more. Redesigned and containing more information than in previous years, the producer profiles provide insights on women; Hispanic, Latino or Spanish; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; Black or African American; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; and white producers. Data are available for geographies with 30 farms or more operated by a specified group.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of September 1, there were 77.7 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 3 percent from September 2018, and up 3 percent from June 1, 2019, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS releases 2017 Census of Agriculture Zip Code Tabulations The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released 2017 Census of Agriculture data tabulated by zip code. The zip code tabulations are available through Quick Stats, NASS’ online data query tool.
- USDA Forecasts U.S. Corn and Soybean Production Down from 2018 The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted soybean and corn production down from 2018. Soybean production is down 19 percent from 2018, forecast at 3.68 billion bushels; corn growers are expected to decrease their production 4 percent from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels.
- Corn Planted Acreage Up 3 Percent from 2018 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 80.0 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2019, down 10 percent from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Corn area planted is estimated at 91.7 million acres, up 3 percent from last year.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 4 Percent As of June 1, there were 75.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up  4 percent from June 2018, and 1 percent from March 1, 2019, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Honors Former Employee in 2019 Hall of Fame The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted into its Hall of Fame Frederic A. Vogel, an esteemed retired agency leader whose impact continues to resonate today. Throughout his career, Vogel was a driving force for continued improvements in data quality and a global leader in the development of statistical methodology for agriculture and economic statistics. His commitment to excellence in statistical theory and practice contributed substantially to agricultural statistics at NASS and internationally.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent As of March 1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from March 2018, but down slightly from December 1, 2018, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Seeks Nominations for the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent
- Soybean Production Up in 2018, USDA Reports. Winter Wheat Seedings and Grain Stocks also reported Cooler than average summer months but a warmer spring kept the 2018 corn harvest just 1 percent below last year’s record harvest. The nation’s soybean yield was up 5 percent from 2017, with planted area down 1 percent from record 2017 acreage, according to the Crop Production 2018 Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Census of Agriculture Data Collection Tops NASS 2018 Accomplishments,Provides Advancements in Technology and Enhanced Customer Service In completing the Census of Agriculture data collection that is required every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) implemented customer-focused improvements in 2018 and plans to release the new Census of Agriculture data in February 2019 with a session at USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum in Arlington, VA immediately following release.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent As of December 1, there were 74.6 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from December 2017, but down slightly from September 1, 2018, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to conduct Census of Agriculture special studies on aquaculture and irrigation this winter The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two special studies as part of the 2017 Census of Agriculture to collect more detailed information on aquaculture and irrigation practices in U.S. agriculture.
- Census of Agriculture Website Integrated for Improved Customer Experience USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has fully integrated the Census of Agriculture website into its primary website to provide a consistent look and feel across a single site, making navigation and access to census data easier and more intuitive.
- USDA-NASS announces the 2017 Census of Agriculture response rate, data release details, and upcoming special studies United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) concluded data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture with a 71.5 percent national response rate.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of September 1, there were 75.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 3 percent from September 2017, and up 3 percent from June 1, 2018, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Survey Error Buildup is Topic of 27th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture Can survey errors feed off each other? If so, how can those error bias be reduced, if at all? Roger Tourangeau, Vice President and Associate Director of Westat, will examine two examples of error cumulation in the 27th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture.
- USDA Forecasts Record High Corn Yield and Soybean Production for 2018 U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 4 percent from 2017, soybean production is forecast at record high 4.59 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production slightly from last year, forecast at 14.6 billion bushels.
- USDA Reports Soybean, Corn Acreage Down The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 89.6 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2018, down 1 percent from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Corn area planted is estimated at 89.1 million acres, down 1 percent from last year.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of June 1, there were 73.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up  3 percent from June 2017, and up 1 percent from March 1, 2018, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To date, NASS has received more than 1.5 million completed questionnaires. But the national return rate is currently lower than at this point in the 2012 Census. NASS is encouraging U.S. producers who have not returned their completed Census questionnaires to do so as soon as possible to avoid phone and in-person follow-up.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of March 1, there were 72.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 3 percent from March 2017, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2017, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant More Soybean Acreage than Corn Acreage - Planting Intentions Expected to be Down Slightly from Historic 2017 Record Year, USDA Reports Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 89.0 million acres of soybeans in 2018, down 1 percent from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Wants to Hear from Stakeholders about Statistical Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces the annual USDA Data Users’ Meeting. The meeting is free of charge and open to anyone interested in learning about recent and pending changes in various data and information programs important to agriculture.  USDA and partner agencies will seek comments and input on these programs.
- Corn Yield and Soybean Production Up in 2017, USDA Reports.Winter Wheat Seedings and Grain Stocks also reported. Across the Midwest, a lack of extreme heat helped boost the nation’s corn yield to its highest level on record – slightly above 2016. The nation’s soybean yield was down 6 percent from 2016, but production reached a record level due to record high acreage, according to the Crop Production 2017 Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Honors Two Former Employees in 2017 Hall of Fame Induction The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted two outstanding former employees whose work and contributions to NASS and to agricultural statistics continue to have impact. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made lasting contributions to the quality of the information NASS collects and the service NASS provides.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent As of December 1, there were 73.2 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from December 2016, but down slightly from September 1, 2017, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Research, Survey, and Technology Advancements in 2017 Serve U.S. Agriculture - Census of Agriculture is Updated for New Agricultural Trends and Ease of Responding The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has advanced a number of programs in 2017 to serve U.S. agriculture with customer- and data-driven improvements. Among these enhancements are changes to the every-five-year census of agriculture, which officially launched at the end of November and is due in February 2018. For this census, NASS introduced an improved online questionnaire and included new questions to document changes and emerging trends in agriculture.
- USDA to Measure Final 2017 Row Crop Production and Grain Stocks with Two End-of-Year Surveys The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is encouraging producers to respond to two upcoming surveys – the December Agricultural Survey and the County Agricultural Production Survey – that are critical to row crop producers around the country.  The results of the surveys help determine the structure of the 2017 farm payment and risk management programs administered by USDA's Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency.
- USDA'S Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet November 2-3 The annual meeting of USDA's Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in Louisville, KY on Nov. 2-3, 2017. The agenda includes a discussion of the 2017 Census of Agriculture and census programs; the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Strategic Plan; big data; and the Agricultural Resource Management Survey and Chemical Use program. There will also be an update on NASS by Administrator Hubert Hamer.
- USDA Wants to Hear from Stakeholders about Statistical Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces the annual USDA Data Users' Meeting. The meeting is free of charge and open to anyone interested in learning about recent and pending changes in various data and information programs important to agriculture.  USDA and partner agencies will seek comments and input on these programs.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent As of September 1, there were 73.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from September 2016, and up 3 percent from June 1, 2017, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- 2016 Sales of U.S. Certified Organic Agricultural Production Up 23 Percent from Previous Year Sales of organic agricultural production continued to increase in 2016, when U.S. farms produced and sold $7.6 billion in certified organic commodities, according to data released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to Measure Small Grains Production with September Surveys During September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts two surveys critical to small grains producers around the country, including those growing wheat, oats, barley and rye.  The results of the surveys (Agricultural Survey – September and the County Agricultural Production Survey) help determine elements of farm payment and risk management programs. The Agricultural Survey also asks for grain stocks information.
- USDA Forecasts Record-High Soybean Production in 2017 U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 2 percent from 2016, soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production by 7 percent from last year, forecast at 14.2 billion bushels.
- USDA Reports Record High Soybean Acreage, Corn Acres Down The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated a record high 89.5 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2017, up 7 percent from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Corn area planted is estimated at 90.9 million acres, down 3 percent from last year.
- United States Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent As of June 1, there were 71.7 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up  3 percent from June 2016, and up 1 percent from March 1, 2017, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant Record-High Soybean Acreage Planting Intentions Surpass Historic Soybean Record by 6.05 Million Acres, USDA Reports The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces a public meeting of an expert panel to consider questions surrounding publication of farm operator demographic data obtained through the 2017 Census of Agriculture.
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant Record-High Soybean Acreage Planting Intentions Surpass Historic Soybean Record by 6.05 Million Acres, USDA Reports Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 89.5 million acres of soybeans in 2017, up 7 percent from last year and a record high, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If realized, soybeans will surpass the previous record of 83.4 million acres planted in the United States last year.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 4 Percent As of March 1, there were 71.0 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from March 2016, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Honors Two Former Employees in 2016 Hall of Fame Induction The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) inducted to its Hall of Fame two retired agency leaders whose impact continues to resonate today. The NASS Hall of Fame honors individuals whose work at the agency has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides.
- Corn and Soybean Production Up in 2016, USDA Reports Winter Wheat Seedings and Grain Stocks also reported Ample rain and moderate temperatures across the Nation’s mid-section led to record-high yield and production for corn and soybeans, both key U.S. crops, in 2016, according to the Crop Production 2016 Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 4 Percent As of December 1, there were 71.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from December 2015, and up slightly from September 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to Measure Financial Well-Being of the Dairy Sector Beginning in January, representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will visit dairy farms across the nation, as the agency begins collecting data for the final phase of the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).
- USDA Begins National Agricultural Conservation Survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is surveying 16,000 farmers and ranchers across the country through February 2017 about their conservation and production practices on cultivated and non-cultivated farmland.
- USDA Seeks Nominations for the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Members of this Committee advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, timing and content of periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture and other related industries. The committee also makes recommendations on the content of agriculture reports and represents the views and data needs of suppliers and users of agricultural statistics.
- Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on November 8-9 The annual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 8-9, 2016.  The agenda includes a discussion of the 2017 Census of Agriculture; County Estimates and Farm Structure Panel update; response rate research; big data overview; National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) communications plan; a new online Census response tool; and the Agricultural Resource Management Survey and Chemical Use programs.  There will also be an update on NASS by Administrator Hubert Hamer.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 2 Percent As of September 1, there were 70.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from September 2015, and up 4 percent from June 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Corn and Soybean Stocks Up from 2015 As of September 1, there were 1.74 billion bushels of old crop corn and 197 million bushels of old crop soybeans in storage, according to the Grain Stocks report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Identifying and Reaching Hard-to-Survey Populations is Topic of 26th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture Programs as important as the U.S. Decennial Census and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) every-five-year-Census of Agriculture rely on gaining a full count of the population. Defining, finding and gaining responses from hard-to-survey populations is a challenge that Nancy Bates, Senior Researcher for Survey Methodology with the U.S. Census Bureau, will discuss in the 26th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture.
- 2015 SALES FROM U.S. CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCTION UP 13 PERCENT FROM 2014, USDA REPORTS Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2015 Certified Organic Survey, which show that 12,818 certified organic farms in the United States sold a total of $6.2 billion in organic products in 2015, up 13 percent from $5.5 billion in 2014. California and Wisconsin had the largest number of certified organic farms with 2,637 and 1,205 respectively.
- USDA Looks Into Corn, Potatoes and Vegetable Production Practices Over the next several months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) plans to visit thousands of corn, potato and vegetable growers across the United States to conduct the Vegetable Chemical Use Survey and the second phase of the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS II). Both of the surveys will focus on chemical use and production practices of these key crops.
- USDA Seeks Input from Stakeholders on Statistical Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced plans for the department's annual USDA Data Users’ Meeting. At the meeting, statistical and non-statistical agencies will update data users on recent and pending changes in various data and information programs important to agriculture, and will seek comments and input on these programs.
- USDA Forecasts Record-High Corn and Soybean Production in 2016 Both U.S. corn and soybean growers are expected to harvest record-high crops this year, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). U.S. corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, while soybean growers are expected to harvest 4.06 billion bushels in 2016.
- U.S. Agriculture Production Costs Sharply Decline in 2015 U.S. farmers spent $362.8 billion on agricultural production in 2015, down 8.8 percent from 2014, reversing a long-term trend of growing costs, according to the Farm Production Expenditures report, published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Begins Second Year of National Project to Quantify Effects of Agricultural Conservation The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service is contacting 25,000 farmers and ranchers now through August to take part in a national survey that will more accurately measure the environmental benefits associated with implementation and installation of conservation practices on agricultural land. The results of the National Resources Inventory Conservation Effects Assessment Project (NRI-CEAP) survey will help further develop the science-based solutions for managing the agricultural landscape to improve environmental quality.
- U.S. Growers Plant Record High Soybeans Acreage in 2016 The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates U.S. soybean planted area at a record high 83.7 million acres, up 1 percent from last year, according to the Acreage report released today.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 2 Percent As of June 1, there were 68.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from June 2015, and up 1 percent from March 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Launches 2016 Ag Resource Management Survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is beginning to collect data from more than 100,000 farmers and ranchers, for its annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, including farm financial well-being, chemical usage, and various farm characteristics.
- U.S. Corn Growers Expect a Major Increase in 2016 Acreage U.S. corn growers expect to plant 93.6 million acres to corn this year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is the first increase in corn planted acreage since 2012 and, if realized, will be the third largest corn acreage since 1944.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up Slightly As of March 1, there were 67.6 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from March 2015, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2015, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Begins Last Phase of Data Gathering For 2015 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) Interviewers representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will spend the next several months visiting farms and ranches across the nation as the agency conducts the last phase of its 2015 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).
- USDA to Gather New Data on Organic Agriculture Production The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has begun conducting the 2015 Certified Organic Survey to gather up-to-date data on certified organic crops and livestock in the United States. This special survey effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production in the United States.
- U.S. Cattle Inventory Up 3 Percent from 2015 As of January 1, there were 92.0 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is the highest U.S. cattle inventory since 2011.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 1 Percent As of December 1, there were 68.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 1 percent from December 2014, and up slightly from September 1, 2015, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Begins Surveys to Assess Honey Bee Colony Health, Impact on Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reaching out to beekeepers and farmers across the nation in December 2015 and January 2016 to gather information on the number and health of honey bee colonies, honey production and stocks, and the cost to farmers of pollination services.
- USDA Nationwide Farm Management and Conservation Data Gathering Begins Second Phase The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting farmers and ranchers now through February 2016 as part of the second National Resources Inventory – Conservation Effects Assessment Project (NRI-CEAP-2) survey of agricultural producers’ conservation practices
- NASS Invites Public to 25th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) announced today that it will host the 25th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Washington, D.C. Among the topics explored will be innovative techniques, such as adaptive and network sampling, for surveying hard-to-reach populations in the fields of human health, environmental and natural resources studies, and agriculture.
- CORRECTION: Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on November 4-5 The Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will now meet at the Brown Hotel, 335 West Broadway, Louisville, KY.  See Federal Register notice filed Nov. 2, 2015 https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-27972.pdf
- Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on November 4-5 The annual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 4-5, 2015.  The agenda includes a discussion of the 2017 Census of Agriculture; urban agriculture; next generation farmers and ranchers; the Agricultural Resource Management Survey program; Chemical Use program, and data quality.  There will also be an update on the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) by Administrator Joseph T. Reilly.
- USDA Agencies to Hold Public Meeting for Data Users USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in cooperation with other USDA data agencies, will hold the 2015 USDA Data Users’ Meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 1 p.m. CT at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center in Chicago.
- USDA NASS Begins Gathering Food Safety Data About Fruit and Vegetable Operations Nationwide The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is now surveying produce packers and other post-harvest businesses to help fruit and vegetables operations as they prepare to implement new federal food safety requirements. The 2015 Produce Post-Harvest Microbial Food Safety Practices Survey marks the first time since 1998 that such a survey has been conducted. NASS Administrator Joseph T. Reilly encouraged operators to participate in the survey, noting that implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (website) might affect post-harvest businesses.
- USDA Forecasts Third Largest Corn Crop on Record U.S. growers are forecast to produce 13.7 billion bushels of corn this year, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Despite a 4 percent decrease from last year’s production, if realized, this will be the third largest production on record.
- U.S. Agriculture Production Cost Nearly $400 Billion in 2014 U.S. farmers spent $397.6 billion on agricultural production in 2014, up 8.3 percent from 2013, the largest increase since 2008, according to the Farm Production Expenditures report, published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Cattle Inventory Up 2 Percent from 2014 As of July 1, there were 98.4 million head of cattle on U.S. farms, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This marks the first increase in inventory since 2006.
- USDA NASS Begins Project to Gather Conservation Data Nationwide The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting farmers and ranchers from now through August as part of a national survey of conservation practices.
- USDA Measures Feral Swine Impact on U.S. Farms The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)  in cooperation with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is surveying U.S. crop producers to measure the impact feral swine have on their crops and livestock.
- U.S. Soybean Growers Slated for Another Record Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates 85.1 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2015, up 2 percent from last year and setting a new record high, according to the Acreage report released today.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 9 Percent As of June 1, there were 66.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 9 percent from June 2014, and up slightly from March 1, 2015, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Releases 2014 Chemical Use Data for Corn and Fall Potatoes The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today published the 2014 Agricultural Chemical Use survey data for corn and fall potatoes.
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant Record-High Soybean Acreage Again For a second year in a row, U.S. growers are raising the bar on soybean acreage. Growers across the United States intend to plant an estimated record-high 84.6 million acres of soybeans in 2015, up 1 percent from the previous record set in 2014, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 7 Percent As of March 1, there were 65.9 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 7 percent from March 2014, but down slightly from December 1, 2014, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA to Hold Expert Panel on Statistics for Women and Beginner Farmers The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will convene a panel of subject matter experts to discuss needs for federal statistics about women and beginning farmers and ranchers.
- Family Farms are the Focus of New Agriculture Census Data The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that family owned farms remain the backbone of the agriculture industry.
- Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program report The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the first report under its new Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program today. Called Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production, the publication provides data about agricultural commodities consumed for alcohol and other uses as well as the production of co-products and products in the United States from October-December 2014.
- U.S. Cattle Inventory Up 1 Percent from 2014 As of January 1, there were 89.8 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is the first increase in U.S. herd inventory since 2007.
- USDA Invites Public to 24th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture Advancements in technology, the rise of big data, and demand for more accurate, timely, official statistics under tightened budgets will be among the topics explored at the 24th Annual Morris Hansen Lecture. The Morris Hansen Lecture series is one of many public education and outreach activities in which the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service participates each year.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 2 Percent As of December 1, there were 66.1 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 2 percent from December 2013, and up 1 percent from September 1, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on December 2-3 The annual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in St. Louis and Brentwood, MO, on Dec. 2-3, 2014.  The agenda includes a discussion of the 2017 Censuses of Agriculture; response rates and respondent relations; expanding the data enclave, and the NASS communications plan. There will also be addresses on the USDA Research, Education, and Economics area by Under Secretary Dr. Catherine Woteki and an update on NASS by Administrator Joseph T. Reilly.
- USDA Reports Corn, Soybeans on Track for Record-high Yield, Production According to the November Crop Production report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), corn production is expected to reach 14.4 billion bushels this year, up 3 percent from 2013. Soybean production is forecast at 3.96 billion bushels this year, up 18 percent from 2013. Both crops are on target for record-high yields and production. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields for corn are expected to average 173.4 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from the October forecast, but 14.6 bushels above the 2013 average. As for soybeans, yields are expected to average a record high 47.5 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushel from October and up 3.5 bushels from last year.
- New Web Tool Allows Users to Visualize, Analyze Agriculture Data The  U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) now offers the Ag Census Web Maps application, a dynamic online tool that gives users rapid access to Census of Agriculture maps and data about crops and plants, livestock and animals, economics, farms, and operators in more than 3,000 counties across the United States.
- USDA Reports Corn Stocks Up 50 Percent, Soybean Stocks Down 35 Percent from 2013 According to the Grain Stocks report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), there were 1.24 billion bushels of old crop corn in all positions as of September 1, up 50 percent from the same time last year. Of the total stocks, 462 million bushels of corn were stored on farms and 774 million bushels were stored off the farm, up 68 and 42 percent from the prior year, respectively. The U.S. corn disappearance totaled 2.62 billion bushels during June-August, up from 1.95 billion bushels during the same period last year.
- USDA Launches Current Agricultural Industrial Reports Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces the launch of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) survey program. NASS will collect and publish vital statistics for the dry and wet alcohol milling and flour milling sectors.
- USDA Seeks Nominations for the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. Members of this Committee advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, timing and content of periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture and other related industries. The committee also makes recommendations on the content of agriculture reports and represents the views and data needs of suppliers and users of agricultural statistics.
- U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Down 2 Percent As of September 1, there were 65.4 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down 2 percent from September 2013, but up 6 percent from June 1, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Forecasts Record-High Corn and Soybean Production in 2014 U.S. soybean producers are expected to produce a record 3.82 billion bushels in 2014, up 16 percent from last year according to the Crop Production report issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).  Growing conditions were conducive for corn growers who are also expected to produce a record-high crop at 14.0 billion bushels of corn, up 1 percent from 2013 which was also a record at the time.
- U.S. Cattle Inventory Down 3 Percent from 2012 As of July 1, there were 95.0 million head of cattle on U.S. farms,according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s NationalAgricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is the lowest inventory for July 1 since the series began in1973.
- USDA Reports Record High Soybean Acreage, Corn Acres Down The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated a record high 84.8 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2014, up 11 percent from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Corn acres planted is estimated at 91.6 million acres, down 4 percent from last year, representing the lowest planted acreage in the United States since 2010.
- U.S. Hog and Pigs Inventory Down 5 Percent As of June 1, there were 62.1 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, the lowest inventory since 2007, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Invites Suggestions for the 2017 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now inviting suggestions for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted only once every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture down to the county level.
- U.S. Farmers Expect to Plant Record-High Soybean Acreage Producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant an estimated 81.5 million acres of soybeans in 2014, up 6 percent from last year and an all-time record high, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If realized, soybeans will surpass the previous record of    77.5 million acres planted in the United States set in 2009.
- U.S. Hog and Pigs Inventory Lowest Since 2007 As of March 1, there were 62.9 million head of hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, the lowest inventory since 2007, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Honors Five Former Employees in Inaugural Hall of Fame Ceremony USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today established a Hall of Fame and inducted an inaugural group of five individuals whose work at the agency has had a lasting impact on agricultural statistics and the service NASS provides.
- Corn Growers Remain on Track for Record Production Year U.S. corn growers remain on track for a record high 14.0 billion bushel production year, according to the Crop Production report, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In addition to corn numbers, the report also included updated forecasts for U.S. citrus production, and major field crops, such as soybeans and cotton.
- Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on November 13-14 The annual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in St. Louis, Missouri on November 13-14.  The meeting is open to the public and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.  The meeting on Nov. 13th will take place at USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s (NASS) National Operations Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis.  On the 14th the meeting will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel-Westport, 1973 Craigshire Road, St.  Louis.  There will be an opportunity for public questions and comments at 9:45 a.m. on the 14th.
- USDA Announces Cancellation and Postponement of Selected Reports Impacted by the Lapse in Federal Funding The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) have cancelled or postponed publication of selected USDA statistical reports impacted by the lapse in federal funding.
- USDA Reports Corn and Soybean Stocks Down 17 Percent from 2012 USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today reported that on September 1, there were 824 million bushels of old crop corn and 141 million bushels of old crop soybeans in storage. Corn and soybean stocks stored in all positions were down 17 percent from 2012, according to the quarterly Grain Stocks report.
- New Classroom Lesson Uses Food Preference to Teach Statistical and Agricultural Literacy USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the American Statistical Association (ASA) have developed a new Census at School Food Preference Survey lesson plan and activities for students in grades 5-8.  Building on the existing ASA Census at School program, the Food Preference Survey teaches statistical and agricultural literacy to children through common core state standards in Mathematics, Language Arts, Nutrition, Social Studies, and Family Consumer Sciences.
- USDA Forecasts Record-High Corn Production in 2013 U.S. corn growers are expected to produce a record-high 13.8 billion bushels of corn in 2013, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The forecast production is up 28 percent from drought-hit 2012.
- U.S. Farm Production Expenditures Keep Climbing U.S. farmers spent a record-high $351.8 billion on agricultural production in 2012, a 10.4 percent increase from 2011, according to the Farm Production Expenditures report, published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Historic Agricultural Data Now Online In early July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) simplified access to historic data by putting 77 years’ worth of agricultural statistics online. In the past, this information, published in the annual bulletin Agricultural Statistics, was available in print form only.
- U.S. Corn Acreage Up For Fifth Straight Year U.S. farmers successfully overcame a cold and wet early spring this year, planting 97.4 million acres of corn, up slightly from 2012, according to the Acreage report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is the highest acreage planted to corn since 1936 and marks a fifth year in a row of corn acreage increases in the United States.
- USDA to Interview Farmers and Ranchers for Crop and Livestock Reports USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is gearing up to contact farmers and ranchers across the country to gather information about this season’s crop production, supplies of grain in storage, and livestock inventory. During the first two weeks of June, NASS will gather information about U.S. crops and livestock through several surveys focusing on agricultural acreage, crops produced and stored, and hog inventory. 
- USDA Expects Record-High Combined Corn and Soybean Acreage Determined to make up for a crop that was adversely affected by historic drought last year, U.S. farmers intend to plant a record-high combined 174.4 million acres of corn and soybeans in 2013, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If realized, corn will represent the highest planted acreage in the United States since 1936 (102 million planted acres) and for soybeans the fourth highest acreage on record.
- USDA Delivers Satellite-based Vegetative Crop Condition Information Service The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces the launch of a new state-of-the-art, satellite-based U.S. crop condition vegetation assessment and monitoring service named VegScape https://nassgeodata.gmu.edu/VegScape/.  Like the popular CropScape geospatial product, VegScape delivers interactive vegetation indices so that web users can explore, visualize, query, and disseminate current vegetative cover maps and data without the need for specialized expertise, software, or high end computers.
- USDA to Survey Farmers about their 2013 Planting Intentions Over the next several weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey tens of thousands of growers about their 2013 planting intentions. The results of this survey will help all participants in the agriculture sector determine what to expect this growing season after a drought-hampered 2012 season. In addition to grain growers, NASS will also survey thousands of pork producers about their hog and pig inventories and spring farrowing intentions.
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Names Members to the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed 20 members to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics. The committee advises the Secretary on surveys of agriculture and other related surveys; the periodic census of agriculture; and, the types of agricultural information to obtain from respondents. The committee also prepares recommendations regarding the content of agricultural reports and presents the views and needs for data of major suppliers and users of agriculture statistics. The committee draws on the experience and expertise of its members to form a collective judgment concerning agricultural data collected and the statistics issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Extends Census Deadline, Reminds Producers It’s Not too Late Farmers and ranchers across the country are heeding the call to have their voices heard and their farms represented in the 2012 Census of Agriculture. With 1.4 million Census forms returned, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is thanking everyone for speaking up for their communities, their industry and their future by sending in their Census form. For those who missed the deadline, USDA reminds producers that their farm is important and needs to be counted. As a result, Census forms are still being accepted.
- Two Weeks Remaining to Respond to 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that producers have two weeks remaining to respond to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. To date, America’s farmers and ranchers are taking action in overwhelming numbers to mail back their completed Agriculture Census forms, submit them online, or call and e-mail for assistance.
- Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Reminds Producers to Complete 2012 Census of Agriculture Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week continued to remind producers to complete forms for the Census of Agriculture-the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agricultural data for every county in the nation. The 2012 Census of Agriculture will provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with current information to help ensure an abundant, safe, and accessible food supply for all of America. On Monday, Vilsack spoke to thousands of American farmers and ranchers in Nashville, Tenn. The Census of Agriculture, said Vilsack, is one of the most important tools for providing certainty to producers and sustaining the unlimited economic potential of rural America.
- Crop Production Down in 2012 Due to Drought, USDA Reports Despite getting off to a very favorable start, U.S. growers spent the summer of 2012 battling historic drought conditions in much of the Midwest. As a result, corn and soybean production, both key U.S. crops, is significantly down in 2012, according to the Crop Production 2012 Annual Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- USDA Conservation Survey Timely and Vital for Midwest Farmers The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds producers today that the agency is conducting a survey for the 2012 National Resources Inventory (NRI) – Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) about farming and conservation practices on cultivated cropland in the Des Moines River and Western Lake Erie basins. Producers in these areas have the opportunity to participate in the survey, to help evaluate on-farm conservation programs, which help protect the soil and water within their communities. The survey will help ensure these voluntary programs are successfully maintained and improved when necessary
- USDA is Counting End-of-Year Row Crop and Hog Inventories USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is asking approximately 85,000 producers across the country to respond to important surveys involving corn, soybeans, sorghum, rice, cotton, and hogs. From November 29 to December 17, NASS will be gathering final information about the 2012 U.S. row crops focusing on harvested acreage, as well as crops produced and stored.  There will also be a hog survey that will capture  current inventory figures.
- USDA to Interview Soybean and Wheat Growers for ARMS Survey United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced today that it is collecting chemical usage data from soybean and wheat growers in 26 states. The information is gathered as part of the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), which NASS conducts jointly with the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS).
- USDA Releases Results of the 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic growers in the United States  sold more than $3.5 billion organically grown agricultural commodities in 2011, according to the results of the 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey, released today by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS conducted the survey for USDA's Risk Management Agency to help refine federal crop insurance products for organic producers.
- NASS Expands Quick Stats 2.0 Products, Retires Quick Stats 1.0 In order to streamline operations and to improve statistical services, USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has enhanced its Quick Stats 2.0 data query tool and is retiring the Quick Stats 1.0 service on Oct. 30, 2012. All data previously published in that database are now available from the Quick Stats 2.0 database.
- USDA Statistical Agencies to Hold a Data Users' Meeting The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in cooperation with the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB), will hold the 2012 USDA Data Users' Meeting on Monday, October 22, 2012 at 1 p.m. CDT at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago. At this meeting, statistical agencies will update data users on recent and pending changes in the various statistical and information programs important to agriculture and will seek comments and input on these programs.
- U.S. Corn and Soybean Stocks Down from 2011, USDA Reports As of September 1, there were 988 million bushels of corn and 169 million bushels of soybeans in storage, according to the quarterly Grain Stocks report released today by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).By September 1, there were 314 million bushels of corn stored on U.S. farms, down slightly from September 2011. There was a significant decrease in off-farm corn stock. On September 1, off-farm storage facilities held 675 million bushels of corn, down 17 percent from the prior year. The U.S. corn disappearance totaled 2.16 billion bushels during the summer of 2012, down from the disappearance of 2.54 billion bushels during the same time period last year.
- USDA Announces Change in Release Time of Key Statistical Reports Beginning in January 2013 The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) will begin issuing several major USDA statistical reports at 12:00 p.m. EDT beginning in January 2013. The current USDA release time of 8:30 a.m. EDT will remain in effect until January 1, 2013. USDA statistical reports affected are: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, and Small Grains Summary. The time for livestock reports currently released at 3:00 p.m. will not change.
- USDA is Now Surveying Producers for Final Small Grains Estimates and Hog Inventory USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is asking approximately 73,000 producers across the country to respond to some of the most important surveys involving wheat, barley, oats, rye and hogs. From August 30 to September 17, NASS is gathering final information about the 2012 U.S. small grains crops focusing on harvested acreage, crops produced and stored.  There will also be a hog survey of current inventories.
- U.S. Growers Expect to Produce 13 Percent Less Corn than Last Year Affected by one of the worst droughts on record, U.S. corn growers are forecast to harvest 87.4 million acres in 2012, down 2 percent from June estimates, according to the Crop Production report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
- NASS Releases Public Comment on Key Statistical Reports The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released public comments submitted in response to a June 8, 2012, Federal Register Notice announcing an opportunity to comment on the public release time of several major USDA statistical reports. Due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)—the USDA entities responsible for the reports—are reviewing times and procedures of the following statistical releases: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Cattle, Cattle on Feed, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, Quarterly Hogs and Pigs, and Small Grain Summary.
- Farm Production Expenditures Reach Record High Farm production expenditures reached a record-high $318.7 billion in 2011, a 10.2 percent increase over 2010, according to the Farm Production Expenditures 2011 summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- NASS Seeks Nominations for the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is now seeking nominations for new members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Statistics. The Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics advises the Secretary of Agriculture on the scope, timing, and informational content to obtain from respondents of the periodic agricultural censuses, surveys of agriculture, and other related industry surveys.
- U.S. Farmers Plant the Largest Corn Crop Since 1937 U.S. farmers planted 96.4 million acres of corn, up 5 percent from last year, making it the highest corn acreage in the last 75 years, according to the Acreage report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This marks the fourth year in a row of increases in corn acreage in the United States.
- Thirty-Day Public Comment Period on Statistical Reports Begins June 8 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting public comment now through July 9, 2012 as part of its review of release times and procedures for several major statistical reports. Due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)—the USDA entities responsible for the reports—are reviewing release times and procedures of the following statistical reports: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Cattle, Cattle on Feed, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, Quarterly Hogs and Pigs, and Small Grain Summary. The current USDA release times of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET will remain in effect until further notice.
- Agricultural Leaders Ask Farmers to Sign Up and Be Counted in the 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to mail the 2012 Census of Agriculture to millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers in late December. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Federal and state agricultural leaders are reminding producers, through a public service announcement campaign, not to miss their opportunity to be counted by signing up for the Census before July 1.
- Farmers Are Reminded to Sign Up for the 2012 Census of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to mail the 2012 Census of Agriculture to millions of U.S. farmers and ranchers in late December. Producers are reminded not to miss their opportunity to be counted by signing up for the Census before July 1. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. A farm is defined as any place that produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the Census year (2012).
- USDA to Interview Farmers and Ranchers for Core Seasonal Surveys USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently contacting farmers and ranchers across the country to gather information for some of its most important surveys of the year. During the first two weeks of June, NASS is gathering information about U.S. crops and livestock through three simultaneous surveys focusing on agricultural acreage, crops produced and stored, and hog inventory.
- USDA Launches Online Historical Timeline to Celebrate USDA's 150th In recognition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 150th Anniversary, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched an online historical timeline at www.nass.usda.gov.  The history provides important information about the advancement of agricultural statistics as well as the background of NASS itself. Agricultural statistics in the United States is documented in NASS's timeline as far back as President George Washington. As an early compiler of U.S. agricultural information, Washington corresponded with land holders asking for information on farmland prices, commodity prices and crop yields.
- USDA Expects 75-year-high Corn Acreage in 2012 Driven by favorable prices, U.S. farmers intend to plant 95.9 million acres of corn in 2012, up four percent from 2011, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). If realized, this will be the largest corn acreage in the United States since 1937, when producers planted 97.2 million acres of corn.
- Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics to Meet on March 29-30 The annual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 29-30, 2012.  The meeting is open to the public and will take place from  8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 29th, and 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 30th at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C., 20024.  There will be an opportunity for public questions and comments at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30th.
- NASS Asks Farmers to Sign up for Census, Share Their Story In recognition of National Ag Day on March 8, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) calls on America's farmers and ranchers to sign up for the 2012 Census of Agriculture and to share stories about how Census data benefits them. Recognizing the central role of agriculture in Americans lives, USDA wants to make sure it counts all farmers and ranchers in the upcoming Census. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the Census of Agriculture every five years and is currently preparing to send the Census form to all agricultural producers in December.
- NASS to Hold Live Twitter Chat About the Census The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is preparing to conduct the 2012 Census of Agriculture later this year. In order to answer any questions farmers, ranchers or agricultural groups and organizations may have about the Census, Renee Picanso, NASS Census and Survey Division Director and Joe Prusacki, NASS Statistics Division Director will conduct a live Q&A session, or "Twitterview," on the NASS Twitter page on Thursday, March 8 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. EST.
- USDA Gearing Up to Conduct 2012 Census of Agriculture Surveys are now arriving in mailboxes around the nation to help identify all active farms in the United States. The National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS), which asks landowners whether or not they are farming and for basic farm information, is one of the most important early steps used to determine who should receive a 2012 Census of Agriculture report form. The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.
- NASS Releases New Geospatial Data in CropScape WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2012 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released updates to its online geospatial exploring tool, CropScape. 2011 Cropland Data Layer products, which are derived from satellite image observations at 30-meter (0.22 acres per pixel) resolution, help users visualize how the volatile weather events of 2011 affected cropland in the United States.
- Farmers Produce Less in 2011, USDA Reports WASHINGTON, January 12, 2012 – Hindered by unfavorable planting and growing conditions during 2011, U.S. farmers produced a smaller crop than the previous year according to the Crop Production 2011 Summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Corn Production on Up Swing While Soybean, Cotton and Wheat Suffer, USDA Reports WASHINGTON, August 11, 2011 – As U.S. farmers are on track to produce the third largest corn crop in history, this summer’s extreme hot and dry conditions across much of the country are hindering soybean, cotton and all wheat production. This is the latest forecast, according to the Crop Production report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
- Farm Production Expenditures Climb Slightly in 2010 WASHINGTON, August 4, 2011 – After a brief reprieve in 2009, last year farm production expenditures resumed an upward trend. In 2010, U.S. farmers reported spending $289 billion to produce agricultural products, up from $287.4 billion in the prior year. The Farm Production Expenditures 2010 summary released on Aug. 2 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) provides national, regional and Crop and Livestock farm expenditures.
- Enhanced Data on North American Agriculture Now Available The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced today the availability of enhanced data on North American agriculture. Published online, the information is a result of a project sponsored by the North American Tripartite Committee on Agricultural Statistics (NATCAS).