USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin its 2009 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) in January, focusing on wheat for the first time since 2004. ARMS is an annual survey that asks a small but representative sample of farmers about their operations in order to understand the current financial state of U.S. agriculture.

In addition to seeking general farm information, this year’s ARMS will feature a special questionnaire for hog and wheat producers. This will be the first time since 2004 that ARMS has focused on wheat production including durum, spring, winter and organic wheat varieties.

USDA says that by completing the ARMS survey, farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to provide accurate, real-world data that will help shape policies, programs and emerging issues. Producers will be asked to provide information on their fertilizer, nutrient and pesticide applications, as well as their pest management and irrigation practices.

As with all of its surveys, NASS guarantees that individual survey responses are kept confidential. NASS uses the information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals, ensuring no individual respondent or operation can be identified.
For more information about the survey, please visit NASS or the Economic Research Service.