American Farm Bureau Recommends Changes to USDA NASS

Alright, I admit when I am on the air with Gordy or Larry we have "complained" about not understanding how the USDA arrived at some of their numbers in their USDA Supply Demand and WASE Reports, plus the Quarterly Stocks Report! Larry has even called it a "thunder blunder" a couple times. Well, there apparently are many other farmers, farm organizations and a few grain analysts that feel the same way.

Recently the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released a report of an "in-depth examination into the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service's survey collection and data reporting issues." I have had the opportunity to interviewed NASS statisticians from the USDA a couple times. It was clear that they have a certain method or way they have always done their reports. They wanted to be consistent. However, technology has been developed to maybe help them be more accurate?

"While NASS may have a gold standard reputation for agriculture statistics globally, U.S. farmer's confidence in their reports has unfortunately declined," said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. "Large changes, especially the last 2 years due to adverse weather events, in estimates of planted area, crop yields and inventory levels have caused wild swings in markets and left farmers questioning the agency's ability to respond quickly to rapidly changing conditions on the ground."

Some of the AFBF recommendations include: Increase transparency with the agricultural community, Accelerate new and innovative technology adoption, Increase collaboration with Farm Bureau to accomplish shared goals, and strengthen NASS for U.S. Agriculture.

Farmers need to do out part with NASS too so the reports are more accurate. That would include providing the information for the survey when someone from NASS calls. It would also include filling out the surveys and sending them back to NASS.