Time is running out to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture! Thank you to the producers who have already completed the ag census. To date, Utah has received more than 53% completed census forms from producers across the state. NASS will continue to collect census questionnaires through the spring to ensure the best possible representation in the data. 

So if you have not responded, there is still time. By federal law, the ag census questionnaire needs to be completed by everyone who received it, including landowners who lease land to producers, those involved in conservation programs, even those who may have received the ag census and did not farm in 2022. This month, NASS will continue to mail reminders and has already begun to do some phone follow-up with producers.  

Strong response means strong data; these data will inform decisions that will help shape the future of American agriculture for the next five or six years. By not responding, you risk being unrepresented and therefore underserved in farm programs and funding, crop insurance rates, rural development, disaster assistance, and more. 

While the importance of response to our census and surveys cannot be overstated, NASS uses tried and true, published statistical methods to account for nonresponse, under-coverage, and misclassification. Still, it’s the farmers who lose out when we don’t have enough data to publish for commodities or localities. These ag data remain the most comprehensive and unbiased across the industry. These data will be used by decision makers who have a very real impact on producers, their farming operations, and communities across the country. 

The questions in the ag census are detailed because they paint the whole picture, not just commodity production but the very structure and economic health of the industry. To best serve producers, the hardworking folks who provide for so many, we need to be able to quantify, for example, if current farm programs are meeting needs, if producers are losing money, etc.

NASS utilizes data from other sources like USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency whenever possible. We are always working to lessen respondent burden and these data assist with that. However, these data are limited to what is needed by those agencies. As such and knowing that many factors can change a producer’s operation at any time, NASS continues to seek the information directly from producers to ensure the most timely, detailed, and accurate data.NASS utilizes data from other sources like USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency whenever possible. We are always working to lessen respondent burden and these data assist with that. However, these data are limited to what is needed by those agencies. As such and knowing that many factors can change a producer’s operation at any time, NASS continues to seek the information directly from producers to ensure the most timely, detailed, and accurate data.

Return your ag census by mail or fill it out online at agcounts.usda.gov. Learn more at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus and respond today.