Soybean Objective Yield - Backgrounder

NASS Programs

Soybean 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 soybean fields during the
growing season. By gathering
data on soybean plants, pod
count and weight, NASS can
better determine the official
estimate of soybean yield and
production.

In July, NASS representatives
contact selected producers in
the major soybean 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 soybean 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. Soybean final
yield and production estimates
will be published in the Annual
Crop Production report every
January.
All previous reports are available
on the NASS website: www.nass.
usda.gov/Publications/index.asp.

Once in the field, the
representatives establish
two sample areas to monitor
during the growing season.
On all future visits NASS
representatives conduct counts
and measurements of the
soybean plants within the sample
areas. These monthly visits do
not require any time from the
producer.
In addition to taking regular
monthly measurements, we
select some fields for inclusion
in the post-harvest gleaning
sample. Those producers 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