USDA Revives Cotton Stats, Ditches Almond and Hazelnut Surveys
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is updating its crop and livestock surveys. They’re bringing back the Cotton survey, stopping surveys for California Almonds and Oregon Hazelnuts, and cutting Florida Citrus surveys from 12 to 5 times a year. Farmers, growers, and anyone involved in agriculture should know these changes could affect how data is collected and reported starting soon, with public comments due by May 11, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Cotton yield survey reinstated
The USDA is reinstating the Cotton Objective Yield Survey as part of the National Agricultural Statistics Service renewal. This survey is used to forecast cotton production and to support growers, processors, and marketers; the renewal notes added burden hours and sample sizes reflect inclusion of these surveys. The overall collection lists 12,000 respondents and a total of 3,346 burden hours, and public comments are due by May 11, 2026.
Florida citrus survey frequency cut
USDA will reduce the number of data collection waves for the Florida Citrus Objective Yield Survey from 12 times a year to 5 times a year. The Objective Yield Surveys are used to forecast production and help growers and marketers make decisions; this change alters how often Florida citrus producers will be sampled and measured. Comments are due by May 11, 2026.
California almonds survey discontinued
The USDA will discontinue the California Almonds Objective Yield Survey. The Objective Yield Surveys produce forecasts that support growers, processors, and marketers, so stopping this survey removes that specific USDA forecast for California almonds. Public comments on this information collection are due by May 11, 2026.
Oregon hazelnut survey ended
The USDA will discontinue the Oregon Hazelnuts Objective Yield Survey. The Objective Yield Surveys provide forecasts used by growers, processors, and marketers, so the discontinuation removes that USDA forecast for Oregon hazelnuts. Stakeholders may submit comments by May 11, 2026.
Information-collection burden on farms/businesses
The notice covers a renewal of NASS Objective Yield Surveys with 12,000 respondents described as "Businesses or other for-profits; Farms," a reporting frequency of annually and monthly, and a total burden of 3,346 hours. Stakeholders are invited to comment by May 11, 2026.
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