Farmers Of Virginia Encouraged To Participate In Small Grain Production Survey

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the 2010 harvest of small grains is complete and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will now measure farmers' final production of those grains, including wheat, oats, barley and rye.

During the first two weeks of September, the Virginia Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact more than 900 producers statewide as part of the September Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey. Results will provide the basis for official USDA estimates of 2010 acreage, yield and production for small grains.

"This is one of the most important surveys NASS conducts each year," explained

Herman Ellison, director of the NASS Virginia Field Office. "Not only will we be gathering final data on 2010 small grains production, but we'll also be collecting information on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the state.

"Data from the September Agricultural Survey benefits farmers by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and evaluate the success of the growing season," added Ellison.

NASS will contact selected Virginia producers by mail or telephone and ask them to provide information on their 2010 production and on-farm stocks of winter wheat, barley, and oats. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

"NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified," Ellison said. Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 30. These and all NASS reports are available on the agency's web site: www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Virginia Field Office at 800-772-0670.
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