The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)is collecting data from approximately 1,100 Louisiana farmers and ranchers for its annual 2023 AgriculturalResource Management Integrated Screening Survey (ARMS). The survey looks at all aspects of U.S.agricultural production, the well-being of farm households, farm finances, chemical usage and various farm production characteristics. The survey also collects detailed information on production practices, costs andreturns for different commodities on a rotating basis. In 2023, the survey will take a closer look at soybeanproduction in Louisiana.“The annual data from ARMS are used to gauge the financial health and resource use of today’s producers,” said Louisiana State Statistician Kathy Broussard. “The information gives us an annual snapshot of the role of the farming industry in the U.S. economy.”The information producers provide through the survey will inform national and state policy decisions. In addition, ARMS data are used to calculate the farm sector portion of the Gross Domestic Product, which is an important measure of the U.S. economy.The survey is conducted in three phases from May 2023 through April 2024. The current (first) phase screens participants to ensure they have the commodities of interest that are needed to accurately represent the entire U.S. farm sector. During the second phase, NASS will collect information on production practices and chemical use for soybeans. In the final phase, NASS will survey producers on farm income and production expenditures.“We strongly encourage every producer contacted for ARMS to participate, as their response representsnot just their own farm but many other similar operations across the country,” added Broussard. “For maximumconvenience, producers should complete the survey online at agcounts.usda.gov with the survey code mailed to them. “Online reporting is fast and secure. Producers may also mail or fax their completed questionnaire to us,” said Broussard.All information from respondents is kept confidential, as required by federal law and reported so that noindividual operation or producer can be identified. For more information on how NASS protects information, visit www.nass.usda. gov/confidentiality.ARMS is a joint effort of NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service. For more information about thesurvey, visit nass.usda.gov/go/ ARMS. For information on how this data are used in this region or for questions about the survey, call the Louisiana Field Office at 1-800-256-4485.
