USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service Audio Broadcasts

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service released the quarterly Hogs and Pigs report December 27. Dan Kerestes, chief of the NASS Livestock Branch, reviews the highlights.

The latest Crop Production report shows cotton virtually unchanged from the November forecast but down 11 percent from last year's record production. The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2006-07 season is up 3 percent from the October forecast but down 9 percent from last season's final utilization. Jeff Geuder, chief of the NASS Crops Branch, looks at the numbers.

In the latest Crop Production report, NASS reduced its estimate of U.S. corn harvest by one percent – to just over 10.7 billion bushels. Meanwhile, the soybean and cotton crops are coming in slightly above last month's estimates. Greg Thessen, head of the NASS Field Crops Section, discusses highlights of the report.

Production estimates for soybeans and cotton are up from September while the production forecast for corn is down, according to NASS's October Crop Production report. Steve Wiyatt, director of the NASS Statistics Division, says that early harvest results for corn have revealed that the hot, dry conditions of the summer had more of an impact on yield potential than anticipated.

The 2005 Census of Aquaculture provides the second nationwide count of the aquaculture industry. Dan Kerestes, chief of the NASS Livestock Branch, says that sales of aquaculture products have grown to nearly $1.1 billion since 1998, an increase of 11.7 percent. Accounting for more than half of all aquaculture sales was food fish, including catfish, perch, salmon, tilapia and trout.

U.S. hog inventory is up from a year ago at 62.7 million head, according to NASS's Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report. Dan Kerestes, chief of the NASS Livestock Branch, says genetics and prices are likely factors for the rising numbers.

Production estimates for corn and soybeans are up from the August, according to NASS's September Crop Production Report. Greg Thessen, head of the NASS Field Crops Section, says some timely rains last month are likely the reason for the improvement.

NASS's August Crop Production Report provides the first yield and production forecasts for the 2006 corn and soybean crops. Greg Thessen, head of the NASS Field Crops Section, provides some insight on the numbers.

NASS's July Crop Production Report provides the third look at 2006 winter wheat production and the first look at the spring wheat crop. Greg Thessen, head of the NASS Field Crops Section, says that while farmers are finding better crops than originally expected, the wheat numbers are still well below 2005.

Part of the annual Acreage Report released June 30th looks at U.S. biotech acres. Steve Wiyatt, director of NASS's statistics division, says the percentage of corn, cotton and soybean acres increased this year by 9 percent - 4 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Steve Wiyatt, Director of NASS's Statistics Division, discusses highlights of USDA's quarterly Grain Stocks report.

Steve Wiyatt, Director of NASS's Statistics Division, discusses highlights of USDA's annual Acreage Report. He says farmers may have planted two percent more corn acres than indicated in March due to strong demand and firm prices.

NASS is collecting data right now that will be used to generate several important reports due out at the end of the month. While some farmers fill out a survey form on paper or on line, many others will receive a phone call or in-person visit from a local interviewer, who may well be a fellow farmer.

Steve Wiyatt, director of NASS's Statistics Division, discusses highlights of the June Crop Production report. He says ongoing drought conditions in the southern Great Plains mean that forecasted winter wheat production is down 16 percent from 2005.

NASS data collection specialists are currently in the field, gathering information from producers on everything from crop acres planted, to grain in storage, to hog and pig inventories. Bob Bass, director of NASS's Census and Survey Division, explains that the data collected between now and mid-month will be published June 30 in a series of major reports providing the first clear indication of potential production and supply of major commodities for 2006.