Source: NCDA&CS, 8/18/16

During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will receive survey forms from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2016 production and supply of small grains, which include winter wheat, oats and rye for North Carolina.

“We will contact 1,265 producers in North Carolina to accurately measure 2016 acreage, yield and production for small grains,” said David Knopf, director of the NASS Eastern Mountain Regional Office, which serves North Carolina. “The data collected from this survey will also help set small grain acreage and production estimates at the county level.”

NASS will contact North Carolina survey participants to gather information on their 2016 production and the quantities of winter wheat, oats and rye stored on-farm. As an alternative to mailing the survey back and to help save both time and money, growers will have the option to respond to the survey securely online. Farmers who have not responded by Aug. 30, may
receive a phone call from a NASS representative who will help them fill out the survey form.

“Data can have a direct impact on farmers,” said Dee Webb, North Carolina state statistician. “For example, county yield estimates resulting from the survey will be used by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency for Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), County Loan Rates, Loan Repayment Rates, its disaster assistance program
calculations, and many other programs. In addition, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) uses the data for administering the Area Risk Protection Insurance Plan, establishment of transitional yields, and determining when to make crop loss insurance payments. Particularly when drought and flooding impact crop production, these data are crucial to the agriculture industry.”

The survey asks producers to provide information on their planted and harvested acres, total yield and production of specific commodities, and the quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on-farm.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 30. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information, call the NASS North Carolina Field Office at 1-800-437-8451.