In the next few weeks, cotton producers may be contacted by a USDA representative to participate in the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). Conducted by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the survey is a major source of U.S. farm production and economic data that has a direct impact on farm policy. This year, the survey will focus on cotton producers’ production practices and chemical use.
NASS Heartland Region Director Brad Summa said, “ARMS is a vital survey that tracks how U.S. farms use technology to manage production of their major field crops. The results of this survey also help policymakers and farm groups understand the factors driving the costs and returns of crop production.”
Cotton producers will be asked to provide input about their operation’s nutrient/fertilizer use, tillage/pest management practices and production costs. To protect the health/safety of producers, partners, and employees, NASS has suspended in-person interviews. Instead, USDA representatives will call to schedule a telephone interview. NASS recommends that producers have their fertilizer and pesticide spray records available to speed up the survey process.
NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be published in identifiable form. More information about ARMS is at www.nass.usda.gov/ go/arms. ARMS data analysis is at www.ers.usda.gov/arms. Survey results and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications