Corn Objective Yield Survey - Backgrounder

NASS Programs

Corn Objective Yield Survey
About the Survey

How NASS Collects Data

Who Uses the Information?

USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) conducts
the Objective Yield Survey
each year to monitor sample
areas of corn fields during the
growing season. By gathering
data on corn stalks, grain count,
and weight, NASS can better
determine the official estimate of
corn yield and production.

In August, NASS representatives
contact selected producers in
the major corn producing states
to participate in the Objective
Yield Survey. An initial phone
call with the producer consists
of a brief interview to determine
field location and to gain
permission to enter the selected
field.

This survey is a crucial tool
for estimating corn yield and
production in the United States.
All sectors of the agricultural
industry rely on NASS yield and
production estimates to help
make sound business decisions.
For example:

NASS publishes the findings
each month, August through
November, in the monthly Crop
Production report. Corn final
yield and production estimates
are published in the Annual Crop
Production report every January.

On all following visits, the NASS
representative counts and
measures the corn plants within
the sample areas. These monthly
visits do not require any time
from the producer. Once in the
field, the representative
establish two sample areas to
monitor during the growing
season.

All previous reports are available
on the NASS website: www.nass.
usda.gov/Publications/index.php.

Response Confidentiality
All information NASS collects
in this survey will be kept
strictly confidential, as
required by federal law. The
results of this survey will
be available in aggregate
form only, ensuring that
no individual operation or
producer can be identified.

In addition to taking regular
monthly measurements, NASS
selects some fields for inclusion
in the post-harvest gleaning
sample. Those producers need
to contact the NASS
representative during
harvesting, so we can acquire
samples to determine harvest
loss.

United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service

•

Farmers use the information
to evaluate expected prices
and to determine when and
how to market their crops.

•

Agribusinesses that provide
farmers and ranchers with
inputs, equipment, and other
goods and services use the
information when developing
their future marketing
strategies.

•

Congress relies on current
yield and production data
to help formulate farm
legislation.

•

USDA agencies use the crop
yield data to determine crop
insurance and disaster aid
payments along with other
program benefits.

July 2020

www.nass.usda.gov