USDA Survey Focuses on Wheat, Sorghum Production in South Dakota

Sep 27, 2024

By Evan Walton

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting surveying in South Dakota this fall.

The survey is an annual survey known as the Agricultural Resource Management Survey. This year it’s focusing on wheat and sorghum producers across the county.

The USDA said surveying is important as it generates data that can be used by producers, policymakers, and farm groups to further understand the factors driving cost and returns.

The survey is conducted in three phases. The first phase screened participants to ensure their interest, ability, and accuracy of their representation of the U.S. farm sector.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.