National Agricultural Statistics Service

USDA NASS Logo

Making up the crop report in 1917

20170810-OSEC-LSC-0151 (36510226215)

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture. As a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, NASS administers surveys and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, including production, economics, demographics, and environmental statistics.

Overview

NASS conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering agricultural production, supply, consumption, facilities, costs, and returns. NASS's duties are critical for farmers, traders, policymakers, researchers, and the public, providing essential information that helps in decision-making.

History

The origins of the National Agricultural Statistics Service trace back to the 19th century, with the establishment of the Division of Statistics within the USDA in 1863. Over the years, the agency evolved through various reorganizations and name changes, reflecting its expanding role in agricultural statistics. In 1997, the current name, National Agricultural Statistics Service, was adopted to better reflect its mission.

Functions and Responsibilities

NASS is tasked with several key functions:

• Conducting the Census of Agriculture every five years, which provides comprehensive data covering agricultural land use, crop production, livestock numbers, and farmer demographics across the United States.
• Publishing annual and seasonal reports, including the Crop Production reports, Agricultural Prices reports, and the annual Farms and Land in Farms report.
• Providing data that supports the administration of U.S. farm policy, including disaster assistance, insurance, and conservation programs.
• Ensuring confidentiality and privacy of the agricultural data collected from individuals and businesses.

Data Collection and Methodology

NASS employs a variety of data collection methods, including mail surveys, telephone interviews, online responses, and face-to-face interviews. The agency uses scientifically established sampling techniques to ensure that its surveys accurately reflect the entire agricultural sector. Advanced statistical methods are then applied to analyze the data and produce estimates.

Importance of NASS Data

The data produced by NASS is vital for:

• Farmers and agribusinesses, who use the information for planning and marketing.
• Government agencies, for policy development and program administration.
• Researchers and academics, who utilize the data for agricultural research.
• The general public, for insights into the agricultural sector and food supply chain.

Challenges and Future Directions

NASS faces several challenges, including maintaining high response rates to surveys, adapting to technological changes in agriculture, and ensuring the accuracy and relevance of its data in a rapidly changing industry. The agency continuously works on improving its methodologies and embracing new technologies to enhance data collection and analysis.

See Also

• United States Department of Agriculture
• Agriculture in the United States
• Census of Agriculture
• Agricultural economics
• Agricultural policy