At A Glance

Noteworthy Characteristics

  • Can be used to determine the availability of animal products, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and aquaculture through agricultural statistics, including quantity harvested and sold, value of sale, quantities in storage, and use.
  • Can be used to determine stocks, prices, and production of agricultural products, including dried fruit and dairy products like ice cream, butter, whey.
  • Collects data on production of, and marketing information on, certified organic farming.
  • Can be used to generate agricultural production and pricing forecasts.

Website

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Education_and_Outreach/Understanding_Statistics/index.php

Purpose

To collect data about the production, economics, and demographics of agriculture, and its environment, in the United States.

Target Population

Agricultural statistics in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Conducted

Began in 1850. Constituent surveys conducted at varying intervals, from weekly to annually.

Sponsor

National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Special Note(s)

The Annual Agricultural Statistics are compiled from hundreds of annual surveys that assess categories of agricultural goods and aspects of production.

Sampling

Sample Design

Cross-sectional.

Sample design varies by constituent survey, which are often based on the specific production timeline of the commodity being assessed. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) employs two basic techniques to sample farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses: area frame sampling and list frame sampling. In area frame sampling, NASS relies on satellite imagery, aerial photos, and maps to divide the U.S. land area into small segments. The list sampling frame is a register of all known agri-businesses and farm operators.

Learn more about each survey’s sampling design.

Sample Size

Sample design varies by constituent survey.

Key Variables

Diet-Related

Name
Acreage, yield, stock in storage and volume production*
Commodity sales volume and price*
Commodity utilization ** (e.g., amount canned, dried, juiced, frozen)
Commodity-based products production *
Commodity-based products sales*
Home consumption***
Chemical usage*

Geocode/Linkage

Name
Zip code, county, state, agricultural district, region

Other

Name
Prices paid by producers
Prices received by producers
Farm production expenditures

Special Note(s)

Commodities include fruits and nuts, fiber, grains, vegetables, livestock, poultry, fish, and animal and crop-based products.

*Available for most commodities
**Available for some commodities (e.g., dairy)
***Available for few commodities (e.g., livestock)

Data Access and Cost

Data Availability

Data can be obtained through the Quick Stats WebTool.

Cost

Free of charge except for special tabulations. The minimum charge for a special tabulation is $500. Learn more about requesting a special tabulation.

Geocode/Linkage

Geocode Variable(s)

The availability of geocode variables vary by survey, but may include zip code, county, state, agricultural district, or region.

Existing Linkages

None found.

Selected Publications

Click here for a full list of publications.

Diet-Related

Blair D, Sobal J. Luxus Consumption: Wasting food resources through overeating. Agriculture and Human Values 2006;23(1):63-74.

Gereffi G, Lee J, Christian M. U.S.-based food and agricultural value chains and their relevance to healthy diets. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition 2009;4(3-4):357-374.

Miljkovic D, Nganje W. Regional obesity determinants in the United States: A model of myopic addictive behavior in food consumption. Agricultural Economics 2008;38(3):375-384.

Pimenetel D, Pimenetel M. Sustainability of meat-based and plant-based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003;78(Suppl):660S–663S.

States: Differential response to price. Food Policy 2008;33(1):48-60.

Wallinga D. Agricultural policy and childhood obesity: A food systems and public health commentary. Health Affairs 2010;29(3):405-410.