2008 CRM Survey
Questions and Answers

Commonly Asked Questions about the CRM Survey

  1. Where can I find my FIPS Code?
  2. Printing out data when input is finished
  3. Correcting errors after data is entered
  4. Reason for "Significant Change" warning
  5. Entering additional data at a later date
  6. Printing draft data does not save data
  7. Changing only one or two items from 2006 data
  8. Changing county status
  9. Warning message
  10. Editing data prior to Sept 1st, 2008
  11. Carrying 2006 data forward
  12. Adding new crops
  13. Modifying transect data
  14. Crops not included in transect
  15. Recording acres of no-till planted into a cover crop
  16. Failed crop
  1. Q: Where can I find my FIPS Code?
    A: Go to http://www.itl.nist.gov/fipspubs/co-codes/states.htm, find your state and then your county. Pre-append the 2 digit state code with the 3 digit county code to create the unique 5 digit code for your specific county. For example, the FIPS code for Tippecanoe County, Indiana would be 18157 (IN - 18 & Tippecanoe Co. - 157).
      
  2. Q: Is there a way to print out the report when input is finished? Can this be done before or after submitting?
    A: Yes, after submitting the data, log back on to that county's data entry screen and choose "Print" on your browser.
       
  3. Q: Is there a way to correct errors in the data after it has been entered?
    A: Absolutely!  At any point until the September "lockdown" date, you can go back in and modify your existing data.
       
  4. Q: When entered data for certain crops exceeds previous data by a certain percent an error message that says "significant" pops up. Where is this prior data coming from? Do DC's always need to load previous data first and then edit?
    A: Previous data is the 2006 data that is shown on the data entry form.  It is not necessary to copy 2006 data into 2008 first to edit.  This is only for counties with little or no change from the 2006 numbers.
       
  5. Q: If some data for 2008 crops has been entered and submitted, can additional crop/tillage data be entered and submitted?
    A: Yes. Crop/tillage data can be added or changed till the data is lock-downed. This will be September 2008.
      
  6. Q: If crop/tillage data is entered and a copy printed, will the data be saved with the opportunity to submit at a later date?
    A: If you close out of the data entry screen without submitting, then all data entered will be lost.
      
  7. Q: Can I change the crop/tillage data for one crop and use the carry forward 2008 crop/tillage data for the remaining crop(s)?
    A: Yes. All crop/tillage data can be carried forward and then only the appropriate tillage/crop data can be modified.
      
  8. Q: If I don't agree with the category (data carry forwarded, local conservation team estimate, transect county) for my county, can I change it?
    A: The state CRM contact can change the category of your county. Contact him/her and state your change.
      
  9. Q: Upon entering crop/tillage data I receive a "Warning - are you sure this is correct?" Is it okay to go ahead and enter the number I want?
    A: Yes. The program was set up to give a warning message if 2008 data was substantially different from 2006 data. Enter the correct data.
      
  10. Q: If 2008 crop/tillage data is submitted in July 2008, can it be modified before the September 1st cut-off date?
    A: Yes. 2008 tillage data should reflect best numbers available for acres of crop planted. If tillage/crop acres have been completed and FSA farmer certification shows the acres planted of particular crops are different than those submitted, then change total crop acres planted and corresponding tillage type data to match FSA. Or if Double Cropped soybeans need to be added, then those numbers can be added.
      
  11. Q: My county has a large amount of cropland, but I forwarded the 2006 data. Will any one know?
    A: Yes. A report showing no change in 2008 data will be forwarded to the State CRM contact and CTIC.
      
  12. Q: A crop that didn't have any acres shown in 2006 was planted in 2008. Can I add this new crop to my county list?
    A: Yes. Data should always reflect actual crop/tillage estimates.
      
  13. Q: Can I modify transect data?
    A: Yes. Transect data was to provide a much more accurate estimate of crop/tillage percentages. Local knowledge should not be ignored. For example, if the transect didn't show any ridge-till acreage, but you know there are 500 acres of ridge-till corn, then modify transect data accordingly.
      
  14. Q: We ran a transect for spring planted crops in our county. How should we get crop/tillage data for fall-seeded crops and double-cropped acres?
    A: Transect data should improve the accuracy for spring-planted crops. The local conservation partnership should make a best estimate for all crops that tillage type could not be determined during the spring tillage transect.
      
  15. Q: We have a fair amount of cover crop planted in our county but about 2/3 are tilled before planting the protected crop. Do you want the total acres planted with a cover crop?
    A: No. It is great that cover crops are being extensively planted in your county. The total number of acres planted no-till into a cover crop is the information desired. Double cropped (two crops planted and harvested) is not the same as a cover crop (one principal crop planted in a cover crop).
      
  16. Q: We had quite a bit of winter wheat that failed in our county. How should that be recorded?
    A: Your data should reflect crop/tillage for the principal crops. If winter wheat has failed and a spring crop is planted, then crop/tillage data should reflect the spring crop. If no other crop was planted, then you should record tillage system used for the winter wheat (even though it wasn't harvested).