Overview (narratives)
National Agricultural Statistics Service
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) administers the United States Department of Agriculture's program for collecting and publishing timely national and state agricultural statistics. In 1862, the first Commissioner of the newly formed Department of Agriculture, Isaac Newton, established a goal to "collect, arrange, and publish statistical and other useful agricultural information." A year later, in July 1863, the Department's Division of Statistics issued the Nation's first official Crop Production report.
The structure of farming, ranching, and the agriculture industry has changed dramatically during the succeeding 130 years. The need for accurate, timely, and objective statistical information about the Nation's agriculture has become even more important as the country has moved from subsistence agriculture to a highly industrialized business that produces food, fiber, and many other products for the world market.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service now publishes nearly 400 reports a year with official estimates covering over 120 crops and 45 livestock items. Each report is issued according to a published annual calendar of release dates. Strict security procedures ensure that no one gains premature access to the information. In addition, NASS has a strong tradition of cooperation with other federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, and universities to supplement the federal statistics program. The state-federal cooperative relationship, which began over 80 years ago, eliminates duplication and provides state input while maintaining consistency in surveys conducted across the U.S.
The official estimates prepared by NASS are based on data obtained from farm and ranch operators, as well as from agribusinesses such as grain elevators, shippers, processors, and commercial storage firms. Scientifically designed sampling methods are used to determine the operations to be included in each survey. Operators are interviewed by professionally trained interviewers, either in person or by telephone.
In some instances operators will receive a questionnaire by mail with a postage-paid return envelope. Anyone not returning the form is usually telephoned; however, survey response is voluntary. Very stringent laws and procedures protect the confidentiality of each operator's response.
NASS maintains extensive lists of farm and ranch operations along with identifiers that indicate their size and type. NASS also maintains complete lists of grain storage facilities, commercial operations(such as feedlots), cold storage facilities, and manufactured dairy processors. Nearly every report issued by NASS is based on survey sample data collected from farms or other agribusinesses selected from these lists.
NASS also maintains an area sampling frame. The area frame, which is essentially the entire land mass of the United States, ensures complete coverage of the U.S. farm population. The Area Frame Survey provides accurate estimates of crop acres and is the primary basis for the June Acreage report. The area frame is also used to measure the incompleteness of the list frame.
Sampling from the area frame is a multi-step process. First, all land in each state is classified into land use categories by the intensity of cultivation using a variety of map products and satellite imagery. These land use classifications range from intensively cultivated to marginally cultivated land and from grazing land to urban areas. The land in each use category is then divided into segments ranging from about 1 square mile in cultivated areas to 0.1 square mile in urban areas. This allows intensively cultivated land segments to be selected with a greater frequency than those less intensively cultivated.
Nearly 12,000 area segments are selected nationwide for the large scale survey conducted each June. Using maps and aerial photos that show the exact site and boundaries of each sample segment, interviewers locate and interview every operator with land inside the segment boundaries. They obtain information on the crops planted in each field, livestock inventory, and quantities of grain in storage.
A considerable amount of data is also available from other organizations, both private and public. This administrative data is used to evaluate the accuracy of production estimates and to determine the final estimates. The information becomes available during the marketing year but often after the preliminary production estimates are determined. Some examples of administrative data follow.
Utilization data. Information about imports, exports, soybean crush, and industrial use are available from the Bureau of the Census. These data are used in a balance sheet that starts with carryover stocks from the previous year and the current production estimate, which measures total supply. At the end of the marketing year, when subtracting utilization data from the supplies at the beginning of the crop year, the result should correspond closely with the ending stocks. If there is a large unexplained difference between survey stocks and indicated stocks from the balance sheet, then the previous year acreage, yield, and production survey and stocks data are reviewed to determine if revisions should be made.
Slaughter statistics. NASS receives data through the Food Safety and Inspection Service about the number of animals inspected at slaughter operations. These data are used to monitor the accuracy of the livestock production statistics.
Price statistics. Extensive use is made of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service market news data to prepare the monthly average prices received from the sales of livestock species. Also, Bureau of Labor price indices are used to measure the relative changes in prices paid for production input items.NASS is a world leader in the use of statistical methodology to produce statistics about agriculture. NASS statisticians provide consultative services to a large number of developing countries around the world, helping them develop statistical information about their agriculture. NASS has also been a leader in making information available through electronic media. Globalization of markets is expanding as buyers and sellers have nearly instant access to market information from around the world.
February 1, 1999, NASS released national, state, and county data from the 1997 Census of Agriculture. The census of agriculture is conducted every 5 years and is the most complete accounting of U.S. agriculture and the only source of uniform, comprehensive data for every county in the nation.
This information is currently available on the Internet at www.usda.gov/nass/. To order a printed copy or a CD-ROM, call our subscription sales desk at 800-999-6779. For more detail on the census of agriculture information call 800-727-9540.
The NASS Homepage address is:
http://www.usda.gov/nass/
Electronic Subscriptions
All of the NASS National reports are also available via an automated mailing list. You may subscribe to as many reports as you wish and they will be sent directly to your e-mail address within 3 hours of release, all at no charge.
For further information, send an e-mail to:
usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu
and in the body of the message, type the word: list. Additional information is also available by selecting Publications from the NASS Homepage.
U.S. Crop Summary
2000 Corn Grain Production Second Largest on Record
Corn grain production is estimated at 9.97 billion bushels, up 6 percent from 1999, and is the second largest crop behind 1994's record production of 10.1 billion bushels. Production is down 1 percent from the November 1 forecast due to lower than expected yields realized in the heart of the Corn Belt as well as increased abandonment in the central Plains and Southeast. The U.S. grain yield of 137.1 bushels per acre is up 3.3 bushels from 1999 and is the second largest yield on record. Planted area totaled 79.5 million acres, 3 percent above last year. Acres harvested for grain, at 72.7 million acres, are also 3 percent above 1999 and are the most harvested since 1985.
After a warm and dry winter, planting started early and progressed rapidly. Early-summer timely rains fell throughout most of the Corn Belt and maintained adequate moisture for plant growth and development. Cooler-than-normal temperatures during the summer, and some isolated areas of excess moisture, slowed crop development in the Great Lakes region. Serious moisture shortages developed in the western Corn Belt and the Southeast during July and August.
The crop matured early in most areas, following the early planting pattern, and dried down rapidly during September and October. The late season dry weather not only lowered grain weights significantly, but also weakened corn stalks in the heart of the Corn Belt and strong September winds caused widespread lodging, thus reducing yield potential and increasing loss. Harvest finished well ahead of the average pace in early November. However, farmers in the Great Lakes region struggled with a slower harvest as wet, cool weather slowed crop maturity and dry down. Frost damaged only minimal acres in the Great Lakes region and the rest of the Corn Belt harvested their crop frost-free.
2000 Soybean Production Highest on Record
Production in 2000 totaled 2.77 billion bushels, 4 percent above 1999. The 2000 production is the highest on record followed by the 1998 crop of 2.74 billion bushels. The average yield per acre in 2000 is estimated at 38.1 bushels, 1.5 bushels above the 1999 yield. Planted area for the U.S., at 74.5 million acres, is up 1 percent from 1999 and is the largest planted acreage on record. Harvested area totaled 72.7 million acres, up slightly from 1999. Planting of the 2000 soybean crop started and progressed at a record pace in most regions as mostly favorable weather permitted producers to plant with few disruptions. Planting in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern States also advanced ahead for most of the planting season. Overall, the 2000 soybean crop matured well ahead of the 1999 crop and the five-year average. The crop in some areas of Corn Belt was stressed by dry, hot conditions resulting in reduced yields. Soybean harvest began early and progressed ahead of 1999 and the 5-year average with 96 percent of the crop harvested by November 5th.
All Wheat Production Lower
All wheat production for 2000 is estimated at 2.22 billion bushels, down 3 percent from the 1999 level. Harvested area, at 53.0 million acres, was down 1 percent from a year earlier. Yield is estimated at 41.9 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushels from 1999.
Winter wheat production is estimated at 1.56 billion bushels, down 8 percent from 1999. Harvested acreage totaled 35.0 million, down 1 percent from a year earlier. This was the lowest harvested winter acreage since 1972. Yield in 2000 is estimated at 44.6 bushels per acre, 3.2 bushels below the record set in 1999. Overall, the Nation's 2000 winter wheat crop wintered well. The crop's potential was reduced by a significant freeze in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska in mid-May, and by severe drought conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and Montana.
Other spring wheat production is estimated at 551 million bushels, up 9 percent from 1999. A 4.1 bushel increase in yield more than offset a 2 percent decline in harvested area.
Durum wheat production totaled 110 million bushels, up 11 percent from 1999. Harvested area was virtually unchanged from the previous year, while yield increased 2.9 bushels per acre.
Vegetable Program Changes
For the 2000 crop year many changes occurred to the National Vegetable Estimation Program. Nine new commodities were added to the program, some States were added, some were dropped, and some States were discontinued for the seasonal forecasts but remained in the program on an annual basis. Data on pages 18 through 20 for 1999 and 2000 are not comparable because of these program changes.
2000 Fresh Market Vegetable Production Estimated at 482 Million Hundredweight
Fresh market vegetable and melon production for 25 selected crops in 2000 totaled 455 million hundredweight. Value of the 2000 crop was estimated at 8.72 billion dollars. Harvested area covered 1.92 million acres. The three largest crops in terms of production were head lettuce, onions, and watermelon, which combined to account for 40 percent of the total production. Head lettuce, tomatoes, and onions were the most valuable crops, accounting for 36 percent of the total value when combined.
The nine new crops are collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, okra, chile peppers, pumpkins, radishes, and squash. Harvested acres of the new crops are estimated at 172,520 acres. Production is estimated at 27.4 million hundredweight. Total value is estimated at 607 million dollars. Pumpkins and squash lead in production, accounting for 64 percent of production for the nine new crops. Squash and chile peppers are the most valuable of the new crops, accounting for 54 percent of the new crop value.
For all 34 vegetables and melons, California continued to be the leading fresh market State, accounting for 43 percent of the harvested area, 48 percent of production, and 53 percent of the value.
Processing Production of 10 Selected Vegetables Estimated at 17.1 Million Tons
Processing production of 10 selected vegetables in 2000 totaled 17.1 million tons. Area harvested is estimated at 1.45 million acres. Processing crop value is estimated at 1.43 billion dollars. The three largest crops in terms of production are tomatoes, sweet corn, and snap beans, which combine to account for 87 percent of the 10 processing crops. The three most
valuable of the 10 processed vegetables are tomatoes, sweet corn, and cucumbers, accounting for 74 percent of the total value when combined. California leads the nation with 22 percent of the harvested acreage, 62 percent of the production, and 47 percent of the value.
Noncitrus Fruit Utilized Production Increases, Nut Production Decreases
In 2000, the Nation's utilized production of the leading noncitrus fruit crops totaled 18.2 million tons, up 5 percent from 1999's production. Utilized production increased from last year for all crops except apples, apricots, boysenberries, sweet cherries, cranberries, dates, nectarines, olives, and pears.
Value of utilized production for noncitrus fruit crops totaled 8.15 billion dollars, up 1 percent from 1999. The value of apple, grape, and peach production increased by less than 1 percent, 5 percent, and 7 percent, respectively. Strawberries showed a decrease of 8 percent.
The 2000 U.S. tree nut production (in-shell basis) dropped to 1.08 million tons, a 16 percent decrease from a year earlier. A record high pistachio crop of 121,500 tons was realized in 2000, up 98 percent from 1999. All other tree nuts showed the effects of alternate bearing, with lower production than in the previous year. Almond production totaled 572,600 tons, down 15 percent. Hazelnut tonnage for the 2000 crop totaled 24,000 tons, down 40 percent from the previous year. Walnut production totaled 239,000 tons, a 16 percent decrease. Macadamia production, at 24,500 tons, was off 13 percent.
The 2000 U.S. value of utilized tree nut production increased 5 percent to 1.58 billion dollars. Pistachios, with a record crop, recorded a 46 percent increase in value despite a lower price per pound. The almond value increased 24 percent and accounted for 54 percent of the total tree nut value. Hazelnut value fell 35 percent, to 23.1 million dollars. The smaller pecan crop translated into a 31 percent decrease in value even though average prices for improved and native seedling nuts were higher than 1999 prices.
Real Estate Values Up 2.9 Percent
The U.S. farm real estate value, including all land and buildings, averaged $1,050 per acre on January 1, 2000, up 2.9 percent from January 1, 1999. The $30 per acre increase continued the climb that began in 1987. However, the 2.9 percent increase is the smallest percentage gain since 1992. The overall increase was slowed by cropland values which rose only 2.1 percent during 1999 to a value of $1,440 per acre. Pasture average value per acre for the U.S. increased $14, with most States going up. During the 1990's the U.S. average farm real estate value increased 65 percent for an average of 6.5 percent a year.
U.S. cash receipts from farm marketings totaled 188.6 billion in 1999, down 4.1 percent from $196.6 billion in 1998. Crop cash receipts, at $93.1 billion, were down 9.1 percent while livestock receipts, at $95.5 billion, were up 1.4 percent. California led in cash receipts at $24.8 billion, followed by Texas at $13.1 billion, Iowa at $9.7 billion, and Nebraska at $8.6 billion.
Index of prices received by farmers for all farm products in 2000 was up 1.0 percent. All Crop prices index was down 1.0 percent due to losses in wheat and cotton slightly overshadowing gains in soybeans. Livestock and products index was up 3.2 percent from 1999 with meat animal price gains more than offsetting declines in dairy and poultry. Overall the prices paid by farmers index (PPITW) was 120 (1990-92=100) in 2000, 4.3 percent higher than both 1998 and 1999. The Prices paid index for crop producers gained 3.4 percent to 122, while prices paid by livestock farmers increased 4.5 percent to 117.
Ranchers in the 17 Western States paid monthly fees for grazing livestock on private non-irrigated grazing lands averaging $11.50 per animal unit month, up 3.6 percent from 1999. Overall farm production expenditures rose 0.6 percent in 1999. U.S. annual average all hired wage rate rose to $8.10 per hour in 2000, up from $7.77 in 1999.
Cotton exports for crop year 2000 are expected to rise 4.0 percent and soybeans exports are expected to rise 0.2 percent. Wheat exports are expected to be up 3.2 percent and corn exports are expected to be up 5.3 percent. Rice exports for the 2000 crop are expected to be down 6.3 percent. Red meat exports for calendar year 2001 are expected to be down 2.4 percent and poultry exports are expected to be up 1.9 percent.
U.S. Environmental Data Summary
The environmental survey program provides data on agricultural chemical and fertilizer usage, pest management practices, and postharvest chemical applications. Agricultural chemical use data are released for selected major field crops, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and livestock and their facilities. Postharvest chemical use data are released for selected crops in storage, such as apples, potatoes, corn, wheat, rice, and peanuts. Pest management practices data are released to show what farmers are doing to reduce their dependency on agricultural chemicals. Pests are defined as weeds, insects, and diseases. Pest management practices were categorized into four areas: prevention, avoidance, monitoring, and suppression.
Following is a list of environmental products released during the past year:
Agricultural Chemical Usage - Postharvest Applications are released in March. For the March 2000 release, oats and soybeans were targeted. The March 2001 release targeted peanuts, rice, and sorghum.
Pest Management Practices 1999 Summary was released April 2000. Data are summarized for the U.S. and four regions (Northeast, North Central, South, and West). Targeted crops were: barley, corn, cotton, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa hay, other hay, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and cropland pasture.
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1999 Cattle and Cattle Facilities was released April 2000.
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1999 Field Crops Summary was released May 2000. The agricultural chemical use estimates refer to on-farm use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides on targeted crops for selected states. The targeted crops were: corn, cotton, peanuts, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat.
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1999 Fruit and Nut Summary was released July 2000. Data provided for 25 fruit and five nut crops.
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1999 Restricted Use Summary was released October 2000. The chemical data provided in this report is limited to restricted use pesticides. This class of pesticides has been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be "restricted", that is they are available for purchase and use only by certified pesticide applicators or persons under their direct supervision.
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1999 Swine and Swine Facilities was released in December 2000. This report was based on a survey of 17 states representing 93% of the U.S. hog inventory.
Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent
The inventory of all cattle and calves on hand January 1, 2001 was 97.3 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. All inventory classes except milk cows, heifers 500 pounds and over, and all cattle and calves on feed posted declines from a year earlier. Calves under 500 pounds, at 96 percent of the previous year, posted the largest decline. The 2000 calf crop of 38.6 million head was slightly lower than a year earlier. The lower inventory continues the downward trend in the cattle cycle. Reduced numbers of cows, and calves indicate that this pattern should continue. The number of operations with cattle during 2000 was 1.08 million, down 2 percent from 1999.
On January 1, 2001 the inventory of cattle on feed in the U.S. totaled 14.2 million head, up 1 percent from the previous year. For feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head, inventories increased 3 percent. With an inventory of 11.8 million head, these feedlots account for 83 percent of the U.S. total. Fed cattle marketings from these feedlots totaled 24.1 million head.
Commercial beef production for 2000 totaled 26.8 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the previous year.
The inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2000 was 59.3 million head, down slightly from the previous year. The inventory of breeding animals, was up 1 percent from 1999. Sows farrowed during 2000 decreased 2 percent from a year earlier, while the pig crop dropped 1 percent. The average pigs saved per litter increased slightly during 2000 compared with a year earlier. The number of operations with hogs has fallen steadily since 1980 and was down to 85,760 operations in 2000. The share of inventory held by larger operations continues to increase; in 2000 the 6,890 operations with 2,000 or more hogs held 72 percent of the inventory, compared to 7,165 operations with 69 percent of the inventory a year earlier. Commercial pork production totaled 18.9 billion pounds in 2000, down 2 percent from the previous year. Number of head slaughtered decreased 4 percent while the average dressed weight per animal was up 3 pounds.
Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2000, was 84.4 billion eggs, up 2 percent from the 82.7 billion eggs in 1999. Layer numbers during 2000 averaged 328 million, up 2 percent from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2000 was 257 eggs, unchanged from the 1999 average.
The combined value of production from broilers, eggs, and turkeys plus the value of sales from chickens in 1999 was $22.4 billion, up slightly from the $22.3 billion in 1998. Of the combined total, 68 percent was from broilers, 19 percent from eggs, 13 percent from turkeys, and less than 1 percent from other chickens. The value of broilers produced during 1999 was $15.1 billion, down slightly from 1998. The number of broilers produced has increased each year for the past 24 years; the 8.15 billion produced in 1999 was up 3 percent from 1998. The total live weight of broilers produced in 1999 was 40.8 billion pounds, up 6 percent from 1998. The average live weight per broiler increased to 5.01 pounds per bird in 1999.
The value of turkeys produced during 1999 was $2.84 billion, up 6 percent from $2.68 billion the previous year. Turkey production totaled 6.95 billion pounds live weight, compared with 7.05 billion pounds in 1998. The average price received by producers during 1999 was 40.8 cents per pound, compared with 38.0 cents in 1998.
Trout and Catfish Sales Increase
For trout growers in the 20 selected states, value of sales, including eggs, was $75.8 million during 2000, down 1 percent from the 76.5 million during 1999. Growers in the 20 selected states sold a total of 59.2 million pounds of trout measuring 12 inches or longer.
Catfish growers in the 13 selected states had sales of $501 million during 2000. These sales were up 2 percent from the 1999 total of $489 million. Sales of food size fish totaled $469 million, up 1 percent from the $465 million in 1999. Fingerling and fry sales totaled $23.4 million, an increase of 24 percent from $18.9 million in 1999. Sales of stockers totaled $7.65 million, up 209 percent from the $3.65 million in 1999. Catfish water acres increased 2 percent from January 1, 2000 to 190 thousand acres on January 1, 2001.