The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is currently seeking input from data users to refine its statistical reports and ensure they meet the evolving needs of the agricultural industry. In a recent interview with Farm Director KC Sheperd, USDA NASS’s Troy Marshall discussed the agency’s open comment period and the critical surveys currently underway across Oklahoma to get the most up-to-date agricultural data.
A Call for Feedback: Enhancing Agricultural Data
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has officially opened a comment period, inviting all users of USDA statistical data to provide feedback on the agency’s performance and the utility of its reports.
“We’re basically asking and taking a temperature of what our data users [are] really wanting to see, and are we hitting that mark?” Marshall said. “The big thing… is it has to be useful, it has to be timely, and it has to be accurate.”
This initiative aims to streamline processes and identify any gaps in current reporting. Data users are encouraged to express their concerns or suggestions regarding:
- The types of reports being published
- The level of information included in each report
- The accessibility and delivery methods of the data
March Surveys Underway: A Glimpse into 2026
In addition to the request for information, NASS is actively collecting data for several significant surveys this month. The findings will be published in the highly anticipated Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports at the end of March.
“This will be a fresh look at the first time for the 2026 year,” Marshall noted.
Producers may be contacted via mail, phone, or in-person visits from NASS enumerators. Marshall emphasized that while producers may be wary of unsolicited calls, NASS representatives will clearly identify themselves as calling on behalf of the USDA.
“We have our enumerators… they will tell you that they are calling on behalf of USDA to collect information about our March Ag survey,” Marshall explained. He added that field representatives carry official badges for identification and underscored the strict confidentiality of the data collected. “We can only use that information for statistical purposes.”
Key Factors Influencing Oklahoma Producers
As NASS gathers information on planting intentions as of March 1, several factors are top of mind for Oklahoma producers:
- Weather Uncertainty: The ongoing impact of drought and the hope for spring rains remain significant concerns.
- Economic Pressures: Fluctuating commodity prices and the rising costs of inputs like equipment, seed, and fertilizer are heavily influencing decision-making.
“We know there’s a lot of things that are still unknown right now,” Marshall said. “In Oklahoma, one of the biggest things is weather… and of course, the other one, the elephant in the room, is the economics.”
Accessing the Data
Producers and data users can access all USDA NASS reports, including a year-in-advance calendar and historical data, through the official website: www.nass.usda.gov.
