Major December Surveys Coming to Maryland

As farmers finish harvesting this year’s corn and soybean crops, the USDA, NASS, Maryland Field Office will conduct three major surveys: the 2009 County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS), the December Agricultural Survey, and the December Hog Report. Data from these surveys will be used to establish final 2009 crop acreage, yield, and production estimates, 2010 winter wheat seedings, grain stocks, hog inventory, and farrowings. County estimates for major crops and livestock are an important outcome from these survey data.

To get the final story on the 2009 crops, about 1,800 Maryland farmers will be contacted on the 2009 CAPS.
Approximately 1,400 will be asked to complete the December Agricultural Survey, and about 100 more will be contacted on the December Hog Report. Each report is critical to ensure data reliability.

Most selected farmers will receive a questionnaire in the mail. Some will be contacted by telephone or
interviewed in person. Producers receiving the CAPS, the December Agricultural Survey, or the December Hog Report are encouraged to complete and return it promptly. Completing the survey on the web is also an option for all three surveys. Reporting by mail or on the internet will eliminate the need for telephone or personal follow-up, thus keeping survey costs to a minimum. Individual reports from farmers are kept confidential and only summarized to set county, state, and national estimates of crop production and livestock inventories.

Published estimates from these surveys level the playing field for Maryland farmers, giving them access to the
same information as elevators, input suppliers, bankers and others with whom they do business. Users of these
statistics include farmers and farm organizations, crop insurance firms, farm suppliers, exporters, foreign and
domestic customers, transportation firms, and government agencies that manage farm programs and set farm
policy.

The Hogs and Pigs report based on the December Hog survey will be released December 30, 2009. The Crop Production, Grain Stocks, and Winter Wheat Seedings reports based on the December Agricultural Survey will be released January 9, 2010. County level estimates based on data from these surveys will be available on February 19, 2010 for small grains and on March 2, 2010 for corn and soybeans. If you have any questions about the surveys or releases, contact the USDA, NASS, Maryland Field Office at 1-800-675-0295.