USDA to Look at Milk Production Across the Nation

By CnAgri Print

In January, representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will reach out to milk producers across the country to conduct the 2012 Milk Production Survey.

"Producer participation in these surveys provides a snapshot of the milk production industry in New York and the nation," said King Whetstone, director of the New York Field Office. "These data, first and foremost, help milk producers determine their production and marketing strategies throughout the year."

NASS conducts the Milk Production survey quarterly to gather information from milk producers across the country. To get an accurate picture in New York, NASS will survey over 900 dairy farmers this year. The survey asks producers to provide the number of milk cows in the herd, number of cows milked and total milk production for the first day of the month.

The dairy industry relies on the monthly Milk Production report to project future supplies of milk and milk products. By participating in the survey, milk producers can ensure that NASS provides timely, accurate and unbiased data that all sectors of the U.S. milk industry depend on to help make sound business decisions.

All of those surveyed will have several options to respond, including a convenient, secure online reporting system, telephone, mail, or personal interviews. Whetstone noted that, as is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. "NASS protects the privacy of all responses and publishes data only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified," he said.

Survey results will be published in the monthly Milk Production report. All NASS reports are free and available online at www.nass.usda.gov. Both national and state specific reports are available via a free email subscription. For more information, call the NASS New York Field Office at (800) 821-1276.