Potato Objective Yield - Backgrounder

NASS Programs

Potatoes 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
potato fields during the growing
season. By gathering data on
potato plants, hill count and
measurement, NASS can better
determine the official estimate of
potato yield and production.

In July, NASS representatives
will contact selected producers
in the seven major potato
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 potato 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 in
the monthly Crop Production
report in September, November,
and December. The previous
year’s final yield and production
estimates for potatoes are
published in the Crop Production
report every September.

Once in the field, the
representatives will establish two
sample areas to monitor during
the growing season. Once the
vines are dead or within two days
of harvest, our representatives
will return to these fields to take
measurements and make hill
counts using sanitary procedures.
These visits will not require any
time from the producer.

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

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