Jul 7, 2016USDA-NASS survey focuses on Illinois production practices
On July 1, the Heartland Regional Field Office of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) began mailing out surveys asking Illinois farmers about the techniques they utilize in accordance with the state’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS).
The Illinois NLRS is a joint effort by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Water Resources Center, and several public and private stakeholders. The Illinois effort is one of 31 other state strategies developed and implemented across the Mississippi River basin intended to improve the country’s water quality.
The NLRS survey will ask farmers about crop production practices, including: use of cover crops, tillage strategies and nutrient application strategies. The survey will also ask some questions about fields and tiling.
Representatives with USDA-NASS hope to have all survey data collection complete by September 15. These surveys will be a part of the Strategy’s bi-annual progress report. This requirement of the state strategy is designed to help evaluate what best management practices are working throughout the state, according to the press release.