Why Respond to Washington Surveys?

The results of agricultural surveys put farmers and ranchers on an equal footing with big business. NASS is the only unbiased source of farm facts - that is not based on special interest groups. Agriculture has moved into the world economy, and yesterday's news doesn't help you in today's farm management.

TODAY'S NEWS: Outlook and forecast reports such as farm magazines, newsletters, university advisories, etc., are based on the information reported on these surveys. Most surveys are published within 30 days of the survey period.

REMEMBER: YOUR INDIVIDUAL REPORTS ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND CANNOT BE USED BY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

Benefits to the Crop Farmer
  1. Crop statistics provide more equal bargaining, with seller and buyer having the same basic facts. Neither has an unfair advantage.
  2. Planting intention reports alert farmers to anticipate shortages or surpluses in time to change their own plans prior to planting.
  3. Grain stocks reports alert producers to the pattern of disappearance and are a tool to help them decide the ways and means of marketing their crops.
  4. Crop production forecasts remove elements of surprise, so utilization decisions can be made with confidence.
  5. Crop acreage, production, and stock reports help stabilize prices by squelching rumors and eliminating surprises on the market.
  6. Acreage, yield, and production surveys provide county data used for farm program payments.
  7. Yields are used for determining crop insurance premiums and payments.
Benefits to the Livestock Raiser
  1. Cattle on feed numbers, placements, and marketings provide information on the future direction of cattle markets.
  2. Hog numbers and farrowing intentions reports provide information on the future direction of hog markets.
  3. Crop production forecasts and grain stock reports provide information on probable future feed costs, which aids in planning future operations.
  4. Inventory numbers of livestock by class and weight indicate the future direction of the industry.
  5. Cattle, hog, and sheep reports help stabilize prices by squelching rumors and eliminating surprises on the market.
  6. Livestock statistics provide more equal bargaining, with seller and buyer having the same basic fact. Neither has an unfair advantage.
  7. Historic number/price relationships help forecast future livestock prices and help to study trends.
Benefits to Agri-Business
  1. Crop acreages provide seed, chemical, and fertilizer dealers information on supplies needed to meet the crop producer's demands.
  2. Crop production forecasts alert railroads and trucks to the need for rail cars or trucks to move the crops.
  3. Agricultural journalists and economists depend on agricultural and statistics for their basic information.
  4. Agricultural statistics provide a more stable business atmosphere.
  5. Good facts reduce risks, allowing businesses to operate on smaller margins, with the producer benefitting in the long run.
  6. Statistics provide data for potential product demand, which will aid in setting up sales territories and in selecting plant sites.
  7. A reliable outlook for crop and livestock production reflects a strong local economy and enables businesses to produce supply that meets demand.
Benefits to Washington Producers
  1. Enables the promoters to sell Washington products by knowing what is being produced.
  2. Production reports attract buyers from other states and countries.
  3. Agriculture has always played an important role in Washington's economy. Therefore, any information on condition or outlook for agriculture affects many decisions for local and State governments.
  4. State revenue is dependent on a strong agricultural foundation, and expenditures must be planned accordingly. agricultural statistics provide important input in this planning.
  5. Statistics portray the importance of Washington's agriculture. Particularly important recipients are buyers, processors, and suppliers.
Benefits to the United States
  1. Farm programs must be based upon accurate and actual agricultural facts.
  2. Promotion of U.S. agricultural products abroad depends on an adequate supply. Crop, stocks, livestock production, and intention reports provide valuable statistics on supply availability.
  3. Government school lunch programs and other programs utilizing surplus commodities depend on agricultural statistics.
  4. Foreign trade balances depend greatly on agricultural products; and good information is needed to promote or limit exports.
  5. Agricultural statistics are a guide in many legislative actions relating to irrigation, dams, conservation programs, price controls, etc.

Last Modified: 11/26/2019