INDIANAPOLIS – The USDA will ask farmers about their fertilizer and chemical use in a survey slated to begin toward the end of September. The agency’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the Agricultural Resource Management Survey through the beginning of December.

The survey takes place every year in three phases, Nathanial Warenski, Indiana state statistician for NASS, told Farm World. The first phase took place in May and June, and was used to screen respondents, he said. The second phase is collected in September-December, and focuses on chemical and fertilizer use. The third phase, scheduled for January-May, focuses on the cost of production and overall farm sector financial health, Warenski said.

The second phase looks at different commodities each year. In the Great Lakes Region, Ohio and Michigan are in this phase for wheat, he noted.

These surveys are done in conjunction with the Economic Research Service, Warenski said, adding the results will be released in August.

“I love these types of surveys,” he explained. “We collect a lot of information that can take a lot of time for the data user to dissect. We are looking forward to seeing how the farmers are being stewards of the land. Also, in conjunction with phase three, how the financial health is for the agricultural sector, especially with low crop prices. We know that that factor, and others, affect different types of farms differently.”

The survey is not available online. Those selected to participate in the survey will receive a letter, Warenski said. Those who receive a letter are not required to respond. Last year, the response rate was about 50 percent, Warenski said.

The data collected is important, he pointed out. Farmers selected to participate are enumerated in person. NASS hopes farmers that are selected will prepare their records to make the interview efficient, Warenski said.

“We value the time of the farmers,” he said. “I would say to hesitant respondents that your data is confidential. It does not go to FSA (Farm Service Agency), IRS (Internal Revenue Service) or anybody else. Nobody can search our website to find ‘John Doe’s’ information. Producers ask, ‘how does this benefit me?’ It is the hardest question to answer because there is no direct benefit.

“The best benefit of the surveys is that they correct possible misinformation. Are farmers good stewards of the land? Do they struggle to survive financially? But just as important, policy makers and researchers use the data. We want good decisions made and the farmers do as well. I have been in meetings where presenters reference data from (the survey).”

NASS has two related surveys. The Conservation Effects Assessments Project is field level and data expanded nationally, he said. The survey is done with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Vegetable Chemical Use Survey will cover watermelons and pumpkins in Indiana.

For more information on the Agricultural Resource Management Survey, visit www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Ag_Resource_Management/index.php.