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 agricultural industry has changed dramatically during the succeeding 138 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 and fiber for the world market.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service now publishes over 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.

Data Sources and Estimation Procedures

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 size and type of operation. 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, satellite imagery, and computer software packages. These land use classifications range from intensively cultivated land to marginally cultivated 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.

 

Administrative Data Sources

A considerable amount of data are also available from other organizations, both private and public. The administrative data are used to evaluate the accuracy of production estimates and in some cases 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.

 


Summary

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.


The 1997 U.S. Census of Agriculture is now available. 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.

Electronic Dissemination of Data from NASS

NASS National and State reports, data, agricultural graphics, and Agency information are available on the Internet. From the NASS Homepage there are nine areas that can be accessed for more information. “Today's Reports” is one of the areas and is updated every day showing the reports released for that day. Reports are generally available within 5 minutes after release time.

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

2001 Corn Grain Production Fourth Largest on Record


Corn grain production is estimated at 9.51 billion bushels, down 4 percent from 2000 and the fourth largest crop on record. The U.S. grain yield of 138.2 bushels per acre is up 1.3 bushels from 2000 and is the second largest yield on record. Planted area totaled 75.8 million acres, 5 percent below last year. Acres harvested for grain, at 68.8 million acres, are also 5 percent below 2000.

A dry, early-spring allowed corn planting to begin early and progress near a record pace in the southern and eastern Corn Belt. However, northwestern Corn Belt farmers experienced frequent planting delays due to persistent precipitation. After slow development in June, above-normal temperatures and timely rains stimulated development across the northern and western Corn Belt and adjacent areas of the Great Plains, especially after mid-July. High temperatures and moisture shortages briefly stressed the corn crop in the Corn Belt and southern Great Plains the first part of August. Fortunately, temperatures gave way to more seasonal patterns and timely rains fell alleviating moisture shortages in many areas of the Corn Belt during the middle and end of the month. Timely and plentiful rainfall in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern States provided ideal growing conditions for corn. Below-normal temperatures delayed ripening and drying of the corn crop across most of the Corn Belt during September. Corn harvest slowly gained momentum across the northern and western Corn Belt in early October. Harvest finished ahead of the average pace.


2001 Soybean Production Highest on Record

Soybean production in 2001 totaled 2.89 billion bushels, 5 percent above 2000. The 2001 production is a record high, followed by last year's 2.76 billion bushels. The average yield per acre in 2001 is estimated at 39.6 bushels, 1.5 bushels above the 2000 yield. Planted area for the U.S., at 74.1 million acres, is down slightly from 2000. Harvested area totaled 73.0 million acres, up 1 percent from 2000 and is the largest harvested acreage on record.


Planting of the 2001 soybean crop progressed early and ended 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. In the eight major producing States, spring planting was completed later than last year. However, planting in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern States advanced ahead of last year. On October 14, ninety-six percent of the crop had dropped leaves. This compared with 97 percent last year and a five-year of 95 percent. The crop in the Michigan and the northwestern Corn Belt was stressed by short moisture supplies, resulting in reduced yields. Soybean harvest began behind last year but ahead of the five-year average with 96 percent of the crop harvested by November 11, compared to 97 percent last year and a five-year average of 95 percent.


2001 All Wheat Production Lower

All wheat production for 2001 is estimated at 1.96 billion bushels, down 12 percent from the 2000 level. This is the lowest production since 1988. Harvested area, at 48.7 million acres, is down 8 percent from a year earlier and is the smallest acreage since 1972. Yield is estimated at 40.2 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from 2000.

Winter wheat production is estimated at 1.36 billion bushels, the lowest level since 1978. This is down 13 percent from the 2000 level. Harvested acreage totaled 31.3 million, down 11 percent from a year earlier. This is the lowest harvested winter acreage since 1933. Yield in 2001 is estimated at 43.5 bushels per acre, 1.2 bushels below the final 2000 yield

.

Other spring wheat production is estimated at 513 million bushels, down 8 percent from 2000. A 3.2 bushel decrease in yield more than offset a 1 percent increase in harvested area.


Durum wheat production totaled 83.6 million bushels, down 24 percent from 2000. Harvested area totaled 2.79 million acres, down 22 percent from a year earlier. Yield is estimated at 30.0 bushels per acre, 0.7 bushels below 2000.


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. Additionally, States were added or dropped from the seasonal program. Some States were discontinued for the seasonal forecasts but remained in the program on an annual basis. When comparing 2001 and 2000 data to 1999 data, comparable States should be used as noted in the table footnotes.

 


2001 Fresh Market Vegetable Production Estimated at 477 Million Hundredweight


Fresh market vegetable and melon production for the 34 selected crops in 2001 totaled 477 million hundredweight, less than 1 percent below 2000. Value of the 2001 crop was estimated at 9.09 billion dollars, 1 percent below the previous year. Harvested area covered 2.07 million acres, virtually unchanged from last season.

Fresh market vegetable and melon production for 25 selected crops in 2001 totaled 452 million hundredweight, virtually unchanged from 2000. Value of the 2001 crop was estimated at 8.58 billion dollars, less than 1 percent below the previous year. Harvested area covered 1.90 million acres, virtually unchanged from 2000. 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 claimed the highest value, accounting for 36 percent of the total value when combined.


The 9 new crops added in 2000 are collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, okra, chile peppers, pumpkins, radishes, and squash. Harvested acres of these crops are estimated at 173,940 acres, 1 percent less than 2000. Production is estimated at 25.3 million hundredweight, 10 percent below the previous year. Total value is estimated at 511 million dollars, 13 percent below last season. Pumpkins and squash lead in production, accounting for 63 percent of production for these 9 crops. Squash and chile peppers claim the highest value of these crops, accounting for 53 percent of the 9 crop value.


For all 34 vegetables and melons, California continued to be the leading fresh market State, accounting for 42 percent of the harvested area, 47 percent of production, and 50 percent of the value.


2001 Processing Production of 10 Selected
Vegetables Estimated at 15.0 Million Tons

Processing production of 10 selected vegetables in 2001 totaled 15.0 million tons, 12 percent less than 2000. Area harvested is estimated at 1.33 million acres, 8 percent below last year. Processing crop value is estimated at 1.26 billion dollars, 11 percent below the previous year. 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 75 percent of the total value when combined. California leads the nation with 22 percent of the harvested acreage, 59 percent of the production, and 43 percent of the value.


2001 Noncitrus Fruit Utilized Production
Down 12 Percent, Value Down 1 Percent

In 2001, the Nation's utilized production of the leading noncitrus fruit crops totaled 16.5 million tons, down 12 percent from 2000's production. Utilized production decreased from last year for all crops except cultivated blueberries, red raspberries, cherries, dates, nectarines, olives, papayas, pears, and plums.

Value of utilized production for noncitrus fruit crops totaled 7.84 billion dollars, down 1 percent from 2000. The value of apples increased 14 percent and the value of peaches increased 1 percent. However, the value of grapes decreased 9 percent. The value of strawberries was virtually the same as in 2000.

Utilized apple production for 2001 was estimated at 9.21 billion pounds, down 11 percent from the 2000 level. Production in the Central States increased as a result of favorable spring growing conditions but was more than offset by production decreases in the Western and Eastern States.

Utilized grape production for 2001 totaled 6.52 million tons, down 15 percent from 2000's crop. The California crop, which accounts for 91 percent of the U.S. grape production, was down 16 percent from last year. Also for California, wine type production decreased 8 percent from 2000, raisin type production fell 27 percent, and table type production was 10 percent lower. Utilized production decreased from the previous year in almost all States with California leading the way. The only States increasing from 2000 were Washington and Oregon while Georgia was unchanged.


Utilized peach production in 2001 was estimated at 2.34 billion pounds, down 7 percent from last year and 4 percent below 1999. The California crop, accounting for 72 percent of the U.S. peach production, was down 7 percent from 2000. For California, Clingstone peaches were down 11 percent and Freestone peaches were down 2 percent from 2000.


Utilized pear production, at 968,300 tons, was up 2 percent from last year's crop. Washington, at 450,000 tons and the top producing State, was up 11 percent. California, at 267,000 tons and the second largest producer, was down 10 percent. Utilized pear production in Oregon, the third largest producing State, was up 5 percent from 2000.

U.S. Nut Production

Up 21 Percent, Value Up 2 Percent        

The 2001 U.S. nut production (in-shell basis) rose to 1.31 million tons, a 21 percent increase from a year earlier. The pistachio crop totaled 80,500 tons dropping 34 percent from the record high crop of 121,500 tons realized in 2000. Almond production totaled 693,300 tons, up 21 percent from last year. Hazelnut production for the 2001 crop totaled 48,000 tons, more than double the revised 2000 crop of 22,500 tons. Walnut production totaled 305,000 tons, a 28 percent increase from last year. Macadamia production, at 27,000 tons, was up 8 percent from 2000. Pecan production totaled 157,500 tons, a 50 percent increase from last year.

The 2001 U.S. value of utilized nut production increased to 1.51 billion dollars, 2 percent above last year. The almond value was up 5 percent from 2000. Almonds make up 45 percent of total nut value. Pistachios decreased in value by 30 percent due to the drop in production. Hazelnut value increased 68 percent to 33.6 million dollars from the revised 2000 value. The pecan crop translated into a 9 percent decrease in value due to a 40 percent drop in price per pound. The macadamia value increased 6 percent from last season, to 31.3 million dollars.

 

U.S. Farm Economics and Demographics Summary


Numbers of Farms and Ranches decline

There were less than 2.16 million U.S. farms in 2001, down 0.7 percent from 2000. The average farm size increased to 436 acres. Land in farms declined slightly to 941.2 million acres. Farms with annual sales of over $100,000 accounted for 16.2 percent of all farms and for 57.5 percent of land in farms, averaging 1,550 acres.


Real Estate Values Up 4.6 Percent

The U.S. farm real estate value, including all land and buildings, averaged $1,130 per acre on January 1, 2001, up 4.6 percent from January 1, 2000. The $50 per acre increase continued the climb that began in 1987. The overall increase was influenced by cropland values which rose only 3.4 percent during 2001 from $1,490 to a value of $1,540 per acre. Pasture average value per acre for the U.S. increased $23, with most States going up. During the past 10 years the U.S. average farm real estate value increased nearly 59 percent for an average of 5.9 percent a year.


Cash Receipts Up 2.9 Percent

U.S. cash receipts from farm marketings totaled 193.6 billion in 2000, up 2.9 percent from $188.1 billion in 1999. Crop cash receipts, at $94.1 billion, were up 1.6 percent while livestock receipts, at $99.5 billion, were up 4.2 percent. California led in cash receipts at $25.5 billion, followed by Texas at $13.3 billion, Iowa at $10.8 billion, and Nebraska at $9.0 billion.


Prices Received and Paid Up

The index of prices received by farmers for all farm products in 2001 was up 6.0 percent. The all crop prices index was up 3.0 percent due to gains in corn, wheat, and potatoes overshadowing losses in soybeans and cotton. The livestock and products index was up 9.4 percent from 2000 with price gains for most items. Overall the prices paid by farmers index (PPITW) was 123 (1990- 92=100) in 2001, 2.5 percent higher than 2000 . The Prices paid index for crop producers gained 3.3 percent to 126, while prices paid by livestock farmers increased 3.4 percent to 121.


In 2001, ranchers in the 17 Western States paid monthly fees for grazing livestock on private non-irrigated grazing lands averaging $11.90 per animal unit month, up 3.5 percent from 2000. Overall farm production expenditures rose 2.4 percent in 2000. The U.S. annual average all hired wage rate rose to $8.44 per hour in 2001, up from $8.10 in 2000.

 

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 2001 release, peanuts, rice, and sorghum were targeted. The March 2002 release targeted wheat.

Agricultural Chemical Usage 2000 Sheep and Sheep Facilities was released May 2001.
    
Agricultural Chemical Usage 2000 Field Crops Summary was released May 2001. 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, upland cotton, rice, soybeans, sugarbeets, and wheat.


Agricultural Chemical Usage 2000 Vegetables Summary was released July 2001. This report includes farm use of 2000 crop year pesticides for 43 vegetable crops in 19 major producing States.


Agricultural Chemical Usage 2000 Restricted Use Summary was released October 2001. 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.

 

U.S. Livestock Summary

Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent

The inventory of all cattle and calves on hand January 1, 2002, was 96.7 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. All inventory classes, except steers 500 pounds and over, posted declines from a year earlier. Heifers 500 pounds and over, were virtually unchanged from a year ago. Calves under 500 pounds posted the largest decline at 97 percent of the previous year. The 2001 calf crop of 38.3 million head was 1 percent below a year earlier. The lower inventory continues the downward trend in the cattle cycle. The reduced numbers of cows and calves indicate that this pattern should continue. The number of operations with cattle during 2001 was 1.05 million, down 2 percent from 2000.

On January 1, 2002, the inventory of cattle on feed in the U.S. totaled 13.9 million head, down 2 percent from the previous year. For feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head, inventories decreased 2 percent. With an inventory of 11.6 million head, these feedlots account for 83 percent of the U.S. total. Fed cattle marketings from these feedlots totaled 23.4 million head.

Commercial beef production for 2001 totaled 26.2 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year .

Milk Production Decreased 1 Percent

U.S. milk production decreased 1 percent to 165 billion pounds in 2001. Milk cow numbers were down 1 percent from a year ago, while production per cow decreased fractionally. The number of operations with milk cows during 2001 fell to 97,560, down 7 percent from a year earlier. Operations with fewer than 500 head declined, while those with 500 or more head increased. The operations with 500 or more head also continued to increase their share of production.

Hog Inventory Down 1 Percent

The inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2001 was 58.8 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. The inventory of breeding animals was down 1 percent from 2000. Sows farrowed during 2001 decreased 1 percent from a year earlier, while the pig crop also dropped 1 percent. The average pigs saved per litter decreased slightly during 2001 compared with a year earlier. The number of operations with hogs has fallen steadily since 1980, and was down to 81,130 operations in 2001. The share of inventory held by larger operations continues to increase; in 2001 the 6,983 operations with 2,000 or more hogs held 75 percent of the inventory, compared to 6,915 operations with 72 percent of the inventory a year earlier. Commercial pork production totaled 19.2 billion pounds in 2001, up 1 percent from the previous year. Number of head slaughtered was virtually unchanged from 2000 while the average dressed weight per animal increased 3 pounds.

December 1 Inventory Up 1 Percent

The number of chickens on December 1, 2001, (excluding commercial broilers) was 441 million, up 1 percent from last year. Layers, at 338 million, were up 2 percent from the previous year. The 94.7 million pullets virtually unchanged from the 94.6 million of December 1, 2000. All chickens were valued at $1.069 billion on December 1, 2001, up 1 percent from a year earlier. Average value decreased from $2.44 to $2.42 per bird.

Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2001, was 85.7 billion eggs, up 2 percent from the 84.4 billion eggs in 2000. Layer numbers during 2001 averaged 335 million, up 2 percent from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2001 was 256 eggs, down slightly from the 2000 average.

The combined value of production from broilers, eggs, and turkeys plus the value of sales from chickens in 2000 was $21.2 billion, down 5 percent from the $22.3 billion in 1999. Of the combined total, 66 percent was from broilers, 20 percent from eggs, 13 percent from turkeys, and less than 1 percent from other chickens. The value of broilers produced during 2000 was $14.0 billion, down 8 percent from 1999. The number of broilers produced has increased each year for the past 24 years; the 8.26 billion produced in 2000 was up 1 percent from 1999. The total live weight of broilers produced in 2000 was 41.5 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 1999. The average live weight per broiler increased to 5.02 pounds per bird in 2000.

The value of turkeys produced during 2000 was $2.84 billion, up 1 percent from $2.81 billion the previous year. Turkey production totaled 6.99 billion pounds live weight, compared with 6.89 billion pounds in 1999. The average price received by producers during 2000 was 40.7 cents per pound, compared with 40.8 cents in 1999.


Trout and Catfish Sales Increase

For trout growers in the 20 selected states, value of sales, including eggs, was $76.3 million during 2001, up 1 percent from the 75.8 million during 2000. Growers in the 20 selected states sold a total of 56.9 million pounds of trout measuring 12 inches or longer in 2001, down 4 percent from the previous year.

Catfish growers in the 13 selected states had sales of $443 million during 2001, down 12 percent from the 2000 total of $501 million. Sales of foodsize fish totaled $410 million, down 12 percent from the $469 million in 2000. Sales of stockers totaled $8.42 million, up 10 percent from the $7.65 million in 2000. Catfish water acres increased slightly from January 1, 2001 to 197 thousand acres on January 1, 2002.