The case for more homegrown fuel
Even though fuel prices remain high, the increased use of corn ethanol is helping temper those price increases. And it’s also benefiting the farmers who grow the corn.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation’s producers the week of Nov. 27. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, ranchers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers, and many others to help make decisions in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development, and more.
“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.”
The census will be mailed in several phases through December. Farm operations of all sizes which produced and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2017 are included in the census. The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the nation.
NASS revised the census forms in an attempt to document changes and emerging trends in the industry. Changes include a new question about military veteran status, expanded questions about food marketing practices, and questions about on-farm decision-making to help better capture the roles and contributions of beginning farmers, women farmers, and others involved in running a farm enterprise.
“Producers can respond to the census online or by mail. We highly recommend the updated online questionnaire. We heard what people wanted and we made responding to the census easier than ever,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “The online questionnaire now has time saving features, such as automatic calculations, and the convenience of being accessible on mobile and desktop devices.” Note: To complete the survey online, producers need their unique 17-digit Survey Code from the address label on the paper questionnaire or letter received in the mail.
The census response deadline is Feb. 5, 2018. Responding to the Census of Agriculture is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release the results of the census in February 2019.
For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture, visit the census website or call (800) 727-9540.
Even though fuel prices remain high, the increased use of corn ethanol is helping temper those price increases. And it’s also benefiting the farmers who grow the corn.
Read MoreThe 2022 Water Quality Status Report highlights how signature water quality initiatives have had major roles improving and protecting clean water, one of the state’s most valuable resources.
Read MoreBWC’s free safety consulting services link Ohio’s agriculture employers with safety and health professionals who will work to help reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau submitted public comments in a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a proposed rule that could severely impact family farms by requiring climate disclosures by public companies.
Read MoreStephan Shehy will represent the interests of Farm Bureau members with the Ohio General Assembly and throughout state government.
Read MoreKirsten Ameling will be engaging members at an individualized level by connecting the organization to the member based on their needs.
Read MoreOhio has seen a steady increase in the growth of beekeeping — particularly in backyard beekeeping.
Read MoreSo far, governors in eight Midwestern states have taken the action of notifying the EPA that they wish to switch to this fuel.
Read MoreA bill introduced by State Representatives Darrell Kick and Rodney Creech would create a more direct legal route for a landowner to receive compensation when property is taken by the government without compensation.
Read MoreSupport for a new state-of-the-art Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture is part of this funding.
Read More