USDA Asks for Comments on Yet Another Farm Data Collection
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is asking for public feedback on a new plan to collect important farming data. This affects farmers and others involved in agriculture, aiming to make data collection easier and more useful without adding extra hassle. Comments are due by November 16, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
One questionnaire for two surveys
If you run a farm or ranch, NASS plans to use a modified Agricultural Coverage Evaluation Survey (ACES) questionnaire for both the 2027 June Area Survey and ACES because the two collect overlapping information. NASS says using a common questionnaire will improve census coverage, increase operational efficiency, and reduce respondent burden for those 2027 collections.
Race and ethnicity question revisions
NASS will revise race and ethnicity questions on the 2027 June Area Survey and ACES and will continue using the 1997 standards while developing plans to implement the 2024 standards. NASS says updating these questions consistently across both questionnaires will reduce respondent confusion and maintain consistency for census coverage.
Survey size and respondent burden
The Agricultural Surveys Program collections will involve 596,600 farms and ranches and impose a total of 207,289 burden hours, with reporting frequencies listed as quarterly, semi‑annually, monthly, and annually. The surveys are conducted under OMB Control Number 0535-0213 and will ask respondents to provide data used for crop and livestock estimates.
Opportunity to comment by November 16, 2026
If you operate a farm or ranch, you can submit written comments on the proposed information collection at www.reginfo.gov by November 16, 2026. NASS asks for feedback on the necessity, burden estimates, clarity, and ways to minimize respondent burden.
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Key Dates
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