During the first two weeks of September, a sample of small grains producers around the country will receive an agricultural survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2021 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley and rye.
“The small grains industry is an important part of Oklahoma and Texas agriculture. It is crucial for all involved to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said Wilbert Hundl Jr., director of the NASS Southern Plains Regional Field Office. “We will contact more than 6,000 producers in Oklahoma and Texas to accurately measure 2021 acreage, yield and production for small grain crops. The data collected from this survey will also help establish small grain acreage, yield and production estimates at the county level, which will be available on the NASS website this coming December.”
NASS will contact Oklahoma and Texas farmers and ranchers to gather information on their 2021 production and the quantities of small grain crops stored on the farm.
Farmers are encouraged to respond conveniently online at agcounts.usda.gov. The online questionnaire is fast and secure.
Farmers may also return their completed surveys by mail. Those who do not respond may receive a phone call from a NASS representative who will help them complete the survey.
“NASS safeguards the privacy of all producers by keeping responses confidential and publishing estimates in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” Hundl said. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers. However, the data that producers provide becomes relevant information for decision-making on the farm, in federal farm programs and for market participants. I urge producers to participate in this survey, and thank them in advance for their time and cooperation.”
The state and national results will be released in the annual Small Grains Summary and quarterly Grain Stocks report on Sept. 30.
All NASS reports are available at nass.usda.gov/publications. For more information, call the NASS Southern Plains Regional Field Office at 1.800.626.3142.