The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced Oct. 1 that it has concluded data collection for the 2017 "Census of Agriculture" with a 71.5% national response rate.

The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million known and potential farms and ranches across the U.S. late last year, NASS said, noting that data collection ended in July. Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories will receive their "Census of Agriculture" questionnaires in January 2019.

“We thank each and every producer who took the time to respond to the census,” NASS administrator Hubert Hamer said. “The 'Census of Agriculture' is an important part of U.S. history that remains as relevant today as it was in 1840 when it was first conducted. The census gives voice and opportunity to all farmers and ranchers in America to tell the changing story of agriculture over the years and identify emerging trends and needs.”

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue also offered his thanks to producers for taking part in the census via a video message that can be viewed at www.nass.usda.gov.

The 71.5% response rate for 2017 came in below the 74.5% response rate for the 2012 "Census of Agriculture."

“We modernized elements of our data collection for this census to make it easier for those filling out questionnaires,” Hamer said. “However, it is unrealistic to think that everyone will respond to any survey, regardless of improvements and benefits. To account for certain levels of non-response, we use accepted statistical methods and practices in our data analyses. We look forward to sharing the results of the census when our analyses are complete.”

NASS said data from the 2017 "Census of Agriculture" is scheduled to be released starting on Feb. 21, 2019, in conjunction with the 2019 Agricultural Outlook Forum, and further releases will continue on a staggered schedule through the spring of 2019. The results of the ag census will be available in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law.

The agency said all census data products will be available on the recently merged NASS/Ag Census website at www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. Watch for additional news about the ag census on USDA/NASS social media.

NASS said two census special studies will also be conducted this winter: the 2018 "Census of Aquaculture" and the 2018 "Irrigation & Water Management Survey." These questionnaires will be mailed in December and January, respectively, to the farms that reported these activities in the 2017 "Census of Agriculture." For more information about these upcoming special studies, visit www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

The "Census of Agriculture" provides the only source of comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, NASS said. As such, the data are widely used by local and national decision-makers to help shape agricultural research and education programs, inform farm programs, boost rural infrastructure, determine disaster relief needs and more.