Wheat Objective Yield - Backgrounder

NASS Programs

Winter Wheat 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
wheat fields during the growing
season. By gathering data on
wheat plants, grain count,
and weight, NASS can better
determine the official estimate of
wheat yield and production.

In April, NASS representatives
contact selected producers in the
major wheat 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 wheat 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, May through
August, in the monthly Crop
Production report. Wheat final
yield and production estimates
are published in the Small
Grains Summary report every
September.

On all future visits, the NASS
representative counts and
measures the wheat plants
within the sample areas. These
monthly visits do not require any
time from the producer. Once in
the field, the representative
establishes 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 will
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.

April 2020

www.nass.usda.gov