Ag Census

Heads up, Oregon farmers and ranchers. What happens as part of your operation this year will provide the data for the next Census of Agriculture. The nation's most ambitious and important agricultural survey of all will be going out to farm operators in December of this year. State Statistician Dave Losh of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says Oregon farmers and ranchers should keep a good accounting of what takes place this year: "The accuracy of the estimates we make, which are down to the county level both in Oregon and across the United States, really depends on accurate information from the producers."  

 

Right now, Losh and other officials nationwide are building up lists of those who should be receiving a census survey at the end of the year. Some people may not realize they fit the definition of a farmer and therefore should be counted in the census: "It's really important to be counted because there are a lot of situations, down to the county level, where decisions are made about agricultural land and services for farmers. If it's not known that there are farm operations out there, then the wrong decisions can be made."  

The Census of Agriculture is done every five years. Surveys with questions about the 2017 production year will be collected and compiled early next year with results finalized in 2019. A lot of decisions on funding and services for farmers and ranchers are made based on the numbers generated from the Census of Ag. Therefore, it's in everyone's interest to participate. That starts now by identifying everyone who should receive the census survey later this year.