Backgrounder - County Agricultural Production Survey

NASS Programs

2015 County Agricultural
Production Survey

About the Survey

How NASS Collects Data

Who Uses the Information

In July 2015, USDA’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS) will contact producers in
44 states to collect data on total
acres planted and harvested,
and total yield and production
of specific commodities. The
commodities vary somewhat
from state to state but include
data on major grains, oilseeds,
edible beans, sugar crops, cotton
and tobacco.

NASS conducts CAPS once a year
in two segments:

All sectors of the agricultural
industry rely on NASS to produce
timely and accurate acreage,
yield, and production estimates.
For instance:

The results of the County
Agricultural Production Survey
(CAPS) provide the data needed
to estimate acreage and
production of selected crops at
the county level for state and
federal programs.
For publication dates for all
county level crop production
estimates visit:
http://bit.ly/NASS_CAPS.

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

• The first segment collects
data from small grain
producers beginning in July.
• The second segment collects
data from row crop producers
beginning in October.
Producers who receive the survey
may respond in either of the
following ways:
• Online – Respond online at
www.agcounts.usda.gov.
Online is the easiest, fastest,
most cost-effective, and safest
way to complete your survey.
To get started, all you need is
your identification number.
Both the number and easyto-follow instructions are on
your survey form.
• By mail or fax – Producers fill
out the survey questionnaire
and return it in the envelope
provided or via fax.
A NASS representative may
contact producers who do not
respond to offer the option of a
telephone or personal interview.

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

• USDA agencies use the
information to evaluate
and administer vital
farm commodity, credit,
conservation, disaster,
insurance and loan programs.
• USDA’s Risk Management
Agency uses the data to
administer the Federal Crop
Insurance Program.
• USDA’s Farm Service Agency
uses the estimates to
administer disaster assistance
programs.
• Businesses look at the data
when determining where to
locate processing plants and
other facilities.
• Farmers and ranchers use
county production data to
help them make strategic
business decision.

www.nass.usda.gov