The 2010 harvest of small grains is getting underway and the U.S. Department of agriculture (USDA) will now measure U.S. farmer’s final production of those grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

During the first two weeks of September, the Montana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact more than 2,000 producers statewide as part of the September Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey. Results will provide the basis for official USDA estimates of 2010 acreage, yield and production for small grains.

“This is one of the most important surveys NASS conducts each year,” explained Steve Anderson, director of the NASS Montana Field Office. “Not only will we be gathering final data on 2010 small grains production, but we’ll also be collecting information on quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the state. “Data from the September Agricultural Survey benefits farmers by providing timely and accurate information to help them make critical year-end business decisions and evaluate the success of the growing season,” added Anderson

NASS will contact selected Montana producers by mail or telephone and ask them t provide information on their 2010 production and on-farm stocks of wheat, barley, and oats. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state-and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” Anderson said.

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 Sept. 30. These and all NASS reports are available on the agency’s website, www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Montana Field Office at 1-800-835-2612.