Ag Census due by Feb. 5

The 2017 Census of Agriculture is underway and responses are required by law. It is conducted every five years by the USDA to get a “complete and accurate picture of American agriculture.” “The Census of Agriculture is USDA’s largest data collection endeavor, providing some of the most widely used statistics in the industry,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “Collected in service to American agriculture since 1840, the census gives every producer the opportunity to be represented so that informed decisions can support their efforts to provide the world with food, fuel, feed and fiber. Every response matters.” Responses are due by Feb. 5 and are mandated under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. Responses are also confidential by law. All agriculture producers should have received the printed questionnaire in the mail by now. Producers can fill out the paper version and mail it back or use the code printed on their questionnaire to complete the survey online at www.agcounts.usda.gov/cawi?q=16.7234876108061. If you cannot find your response code, call 1-888-424-7828. — WLJ