Statement by NCBA President Wythe Willey Regarding Beef Producer Participation in the Ag Census

 “’I don’t have time,’ ’What difference does it make,’ ’I don’t want them knowing my personal details.’ Let’s face it – we all have excuses about why we should not have to take part in the upcoming Census of Agriculture.

“Why should you care? First and foremost, the collection of this information reaps future benefits for us. We are lucky to live in a country which takes time to conduct such a comprehensive national measurement. This data gives our government the real truth about what’s going on in rural America, and especially in times like these, we need to tell them.

“The census is the only source of uniform agricultural data for every county in the United States. It is the most comprehensive source of statistics portraying our nation’s agriculture. The data supplied by farmers and ranchers will help the agricultural community make informed decisions concerning competitive market pricing, farm services, transportation and marketing locations, farming trends, conservation issues, and more.

“Still don’t see why it benefits you?  Here’s a quick example. When we make requests to Congress and the President, we need statistical evidence to back it up. Sure, we can tell them that ‘over the years smaller operations are experiencing major setbacks,’ or ‘most cattle producers are already environmental stewards of the land,’ but nobody listens in Washington without proof. We need the data to prove our case, and to prove how large of a voice we really are across the countryside.

“Agricultural organizations, Congress, and state and local governments use the data to evaluate and propose policies and develop farm programs to protect and promote U.S. agriculture. Farm broadcasters and agricultural editors convey census results to their audiences and use the data to help focus their stories on important areas of agriculture. Researchers and legislators use county-level data to define problem areas and help farmers recover from outbreaks of disease and pests. Finally, your data is held strictly confidential by law. No names, addresses, or personal identifiers are ever revealed.

“You may already have your 2002 census form by now, and they should be in all mailboxes by the end of this month.  This census is an effective tool to help chart the future of our industry, and we need your help, so don’t forget.  Forms are due by Feb. 3, 2003.” 

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