The primary sources of information for NASS reports are those who know the most -- farmers and ranchers, livestock feeders, slaughterhouse managers, grain elevator operators, and other agribusinesses -- who also make extensive use of the estimates. Their cooperation is absolutely vital to a workable and meaningful estimating program; NASS relies on survey respondents to voluntarily supply data for the reports.

The success of this cooperative relationship can be attributed to respondents' recognition of the importance of the survey results and to the confidential treatment NASS accords all data on individual operations.

The information for NASS surveys is gathered in a variety of ways: mail surveys, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews, and field observations.

Types of Surveys

• Probability Surveys
• Area Frame Samples
• List Frame Samples
• Multiple Frame Samples
• Nationwide Enumeration and Integrated Surveys
• Objective Yield Surveys