ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2020.
“The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said Anthony Prillaman, Directorof the NASS Southern Regional Field Office. “Around 2,600 producers from across the country, including more than 300 in Georgia will be contacted to accurately measure 2020 acreage and production for pecans. The data collected from this survey will help set pecan acreage and production estimates at both the state and U.S. level.”
As an alternative to mailing the survey back and to help save both time and money, growers will have the option to respond to the survey securely online. Growers who have not responded by Sept. 29 will be contacted for a telephone interview by a National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) enumerator. NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondentsand publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.
Survey results will be published in the October Crop Production report, to be released on Oct. 13.These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/publications. For more information call the NASS Southern Regional Field Office at (800) 253-4419.