Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue talked over the weekend about his willingness to make changes in National Ag Statistics Service methods of crop data collection. A Farm Journal article says during 2019 and its many challenges, many farmers were openly questioning the crop projections that were coming from NASS throughout the year. Perdue admits that he had some concerns about their crop reports and the survey methods NASS uses. ?In fact, it was kind of paranoia in light of all the prevented planting and other kinds of things that were falling on us,? he recalled. ?We got a little conspiratorial too, thinking NASS was also out to get us.?
He thinks the NASS numbers that took the market by surprise last June might have been more correct than the market ultimately was in its reaction. However, that doesn?t mean Perdue thinks the methodology for estimating crop size couldn?t be improved. ?We?re going to get better,? Perdue says. ?If you?ve got an idea about how we can better use electronics, or maybe an app for better surveys, we?d love to hear about it. We?re open to the kind of ideas of using modern technology to get you the best data that you can use to make plans for your farm.?
