NASS preparing for small grains survey

Jul 16, 2020

The survey will include farmers from 32 U.S. states

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is preparing to conduct its 2020 Small Grains County Agricultural Production Survey.

The questionnaire, which will be conducted in 32 states, will collect information on acres planted, harvested, yield and production of small grain crops including wheat, barley and oats.

Farmers can participate online or by mail. NASS reps will also be in contact with some farmers to arrange phone interviews to conduct the survey.

A 17-digit code is required to complete the survey online.

The more information collected the better because it helps shape risk management programs for producers, said Illinois State Statistician Mark Schleusener.

“The data provided will be used in federal and state programs that help support farmers,” he said in a statement. “I hope every producer understands the importance of (this) data and will take the time to respond if they receive this survey. Producers can lose out when there (is) no data to determine accurate rates for loans, disaster payments, crop insurance price elections and more.”

Federal law dictates that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

The survey’s results will be posted on the NASS Quick Stats database on Dec. 10 at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the final Milk Production survey later this month.

The survey includes questions like how many cows are in the herd, number of cows milked and total milk production for the first day in the month.

Farms.com has reached out to Schleusener for comment.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.