During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will receive survey forms from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2016 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats and barley.
“The small grains industry is a big player in California agriculture and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said NASS Pacific Regional Director, Chris Messer. “We will contact more than 2,000 producers in California to accurately measure 2016 acreage, yield, and production for small grains. The data collected from this survey will also help set small grain acreage and production estimates at the county level,” said Messer.
NASS will contact California survey participants to gather information on their 2016 production and the quantities of oats, barley and wheat stored on farm. 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. Farmers who have not responded by September 1 may receive a phone call from a
NASS representative who will help them fill out the survey form.
NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.
Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 30. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information call the NASS Pacific Regional Office at 1-800-851-1127.