2014 Cotton Objective Yield - Publicity Flier

NASS Programs

2015 Cotton
Objective Yield Survey
About the Survey

How NASS Collects Data

Who Uses the Information?

USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) conducts
the Objective Yield Survey each
year to monitor sample areas
of cotton fields during the
growing season. By gathering
data on cotton plants, boll count
and weight, NASS can better
determine the official estimate of
cotton yield and production.

In July, NASS representatives will
contact selected producers in the
six major cotton producing states
to participate in the Objective
Yield Survey. An initial visit with
the producer will consist of a
brief interview to determine
field production and to gain
permission to enter the selected
field.

This survey is a crucial tool for
estimating cotton yield and
production in the United States.
All sectors of the agricultural
industry rely on NASS yield and
production estimates to help
make sound business decisions.
For example:

NASS will publish the findings
each month, August through
November 2015, in the monthly
Crop Production report. Cotton
final yield and production
estimates will be published in the
Annual Crop Production report in
January 2016.

Once in the field, the
representative will establish
two sample areas to monitor
during the growing season.
On all future visits NASS
representatives will conduct
counts and measurements of the
cotton plants within the sample
areas. These monthly visits will
not require any time from the
producer.

All previous reports are available
on the NASS website: www.nass.
usda.gov/Publications/index.asp.

Response Confidentiality
All information NASS collects in
this survey will be kept strictly
confidential, as required by
federal law (CIPSEA, PL 107-347).
The results of this
survey will be available in
aggregate form only, ensuring
that no individual operation or
producer can be identified.

In addition to taking regular
monthly measurements, we will
select some fields for inclusion
in the post-harvest gleaning
sample. Those producers will
need to contact the NASS
representative during harvesting,
so we can acquire samples to
determine harvest loss.

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

• Farmers use the information
to evaluate expected prices
and to determine when and
how to market their crops.
• Agribusinesses that provide
farmers and ranchers with
inputs, equipment, and other
goods and services use the
information when developing
their future marketing
strategies.
• Congress relies on current
yield and production data
to help formulate farm
legislation.
• USDA agencies use the crop
yield data to determine crop
insurance and disaster aid
payments along with other
program benefits.

www.nass.usda.gov