BOONE, IOWA (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a broad modernization effort to reduce the producer survey burden while improving the agricultural statistics farmers, markets, and policymakers rely on. Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement at this year’s Farm Progress Show in Iowa.
The department says declining survey response rates and reduced producer confidence helped drive the overhaul.
The plan has four priorities: modernize data reporting, improve acreage and yield estimates, integrate technology and agency data, and increase transparency with producers. USDA says implementation will begin over the coming months and continue for several years.
One major change is the greater use of existing Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, and conservation program records, so producers are not repeatedly asked for information that USDA already holds. Shorter mobile surveys and pre-filled fields are also being evaluated.
USDA also plans to expand the use of satellite imagery, geospatial modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning while continuing to use producer-reported information. Privacy and statistical safeguards would remain in place.
The broader goal is fewer repetitive contacts, stronger estimates and clearer explanations of how major agricultural reports are developed.
