10/13/08 Ag Statistics collecting county-level cash rent data

Washington Ag October 13, 2008 A new survey from the National Agricultural Statistics Service is making the rounds; House: "Now, certainly within the next week or so. And it will be in the field up to and including the end of the year time frame." That's Carol House deputy administrator of the Statistics Service who says the survey addresses cash rental rates at the county level as called for in the 2008 Farm Bill. House: "Now we have been collecting cash rental rates at the state level for some time. But really in order for USDA to effectively administer a number of programs and specifically the Conservation Reserve Program, they need to know what is going on locally in the land rental market." While some producers will be getting a separate survey for county cash rents others will see the question included in some of the Ag Statistics regular surveys conducted near year's end. The target date for release of cash rent data is April 2009. You can learn how to make goat cheese at a workshop November 1st at the Spokane County Extension Education Center in Spokane. M. Clare Paris of Larkhaven Farm of Tonasket will be the instructor. Cost is $85. Register by calling Spokane County Extension at 509-477-2048. I'm Bob Hoff.