Source: USDA, 8/12/20

During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will receive Agricultural Survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2020 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

           “The small grains industry is an important part of North Carolina’s agriculture. It is crucial for all involved to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said NASS State Statistician, Dee Webb. “We will contact more than 1300 producers in North Carolina to accurately measure 2020 acreage, yield, and production for small grain crops. The data collected from this survey will also help set wheat acreage, yield, and production estimates at the county level, which will be available in Quick Stats on the NASS website this December.”

           NASS will contact North Carolina farmers and ranchers to gather information on their 2020 production and the quantities of whole grain corn, soybeans, wheat, barley and oats stored on the farm. Producers are encouraged to respond conveniently online at agcounts.usda.org. The online questionnaire is fast and secure. They may also return their completed surveys by mail. Farmers who have not responded by August 29, 2020 may receive a phone call from a NASS representative who will help them fill out the survey or schedule a time to do so.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents, by keeping responses confidential and publishing the data in aggregate form only, to ensure that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” stated Webb. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers, but the information that producers provide becomes useful data for decision-making on the farm, federal farm programs, and the markets. I urge them to respond to this survey, and thank them for their time and cooperation.”

           NASS will analyze the survey information and publish the state and national results in the annual Small Grains Summary and quarterly Grain Stocks report on September 30. These survey data also contribute to the USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

           All NASS reports are available at nass.usda.gov/Publications. . For more information, call the NASS North Carolina Field Office at 919-707-3333.