Oilseeds Beans and Nuts Cover Letter and Online Instructions

U nited States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

October 2014

Dear Producer,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) measures the size and condition of establishments crushing or solvent processing vegetable oil bearing materials (oilseeds, beans, nuts, etc), including establishments using a continuous process that immediately refines the oil each year through the monthly Oilseeds, Beans, and Nuts survey. Response to this survey is required by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). The survey results are used by producers, processors and commodity markets to make sound and informed business decisions and to help promote the oilseeds, beans, and nuts industries. NASS will publish the survey results in the monthly Current Agricultural Industrial Report.

Please respond to the attached survey, which asks for information on the quantities of oil bearing material and crude oils produced during September 2014. Your participation is important. Because we want to make it as easy as possible for you to participate, we offer you the following options to respond:

• Online at http://www.agcounts.usda.gov. This method is fast, easy and secure. You will need the 17-digit survey code found on the survey mailing label to begin; then follow the instructions on the back of this letter.

• By mail. Complete the survey questionnaire and return it in the envelope provided.

If we do not hear from you by the second week in October 2014, we will contact you to arrange a telephone interview. Please be assured that your responses are completely confidential, as required by Federal law. The National Agricultural Statistics Service safeguards the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support of our programs.

Sincerely,

Hubert Hamer

Chair, Agricultural Statistics Board

Enclosure

1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, D.C. 20250

www.nass.usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.