The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey producers in 32 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, for its Small Grains Crops County Estimates Survey (Crops CE).

The survey will collect information on total acres planted and harvested, and total yield and production of small grain crops down to the county level. Crops CE will provide the data needed to estimate acreage and production of barley, oats and wheat crops in the United States.

“The data provided by producers will assist federal and state programs managers in better supporting the farmer,” said Bill Meyer, director, Mountain Regional Field Office. “I hope every single producer understands the importance of these data and will take the time to respond if they receive this survey. Producers lose out when there is no data to determine accurate rates for loans, disaster payments, crop insurance price elections and more. When enough producers do not respond to surveys, NASS is not able to publish data. Without data, agencies such as USDA’s Risk Management Agency or Farm Service Agency do not have information on which to base the programs that serve those same producers.”

Within the next few months, NASS representatives will contact selected Arizona, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming growers to arrange phone interviews to conduct the survey. To safeguard all individual responses, NASS will publish only aggregate data, ensuring the confidentiality of all individual respondents.

Survey results for the Small Grains Crops County Estimates will be made available via the Quick Stats database on December 10, 2020.