Cotton Objective Yield - Backgrounder

NASS Programs

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
contact selected producers in the
major cotton producing states
to participate in the Objective
Yield Survey. An initial visit
with the producer consists 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 publishes the findings
each month, August through
November, in the monthly Crop
Production report. Cotton final
yield and production estimates
will be published in the Annual
Crop Production report every
January.

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

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

In addition to taking regular
monthly measurements, NASS
selects 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