2016 Segments Screening and Tracts Enumerator Training
June Area Survey 2018
United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Plains Regional Office Norman, OK San Marcos, TX Abilene, TX
School Plans Survey Introduction and Purpose June Area Survey Basics – materials, maps, terms and definitions, etc.
Area Screening questionnaire – procedures, rules, Ag vs Non-Ag, coding requirements,
etc. Area Tract Questionnaire – Fill out an example, discuss details and things to watch
Coordinated Surveys
Hotel Information Austin office will pay for the hotel room Enumerators pay for room service, movies, and
other room charges Hotel may put a hold on debit cards Report issues with your room, bill, etc. Meeting rooms have water stations Hotel layout – restrooms, fitness center, restaurant, etc.
Workshop Participation
Big classroom with large attendance Set cell phones to silent or vibrate Listen to presenters, note sound problems Ask questions – Please raise hands Limit side conversations and comments Will have several breaks through the day – Please return promptly!
Materials Already Sent to Enumerators Letter with survey and workshop details Enumerator quiz
Prescreening Guide Blank Area Screening questionnaire
Blank Area Tract questionnaire Agricultural Surveys Interviewer Manual
Workshop Folder Contents – Left Side
Agenda Participant roster Workshop evaluation Survey calendar and coordinated surveys information UPS instructions Thank you sheet (with OMB burden statement, sales card) Letter regarding USDA-FSA cooperation 2 Press releases: 2018 June Area Survey and 2017 June Acreage estimate publication Pre-survey letters to producers: June Area Survey and June Quarterly Ag Survey (a.k.a. Crops/Stocks or June List)
Workshop Folder Contents – Right Side
Screening questionnaire column 20a definitions Completed Tract questionnaire for Presentation Blank Section D for practice exercise Blank Section D Supplement Section D “cheat sheet” Blank questionnaires for Area Screening questionnaire Area Tract questionnaire June Quarterly Ag Survey
Overview • About the June Area Survey • Purpose • June Area Survey Calendar • What’s New, Your Job
• Aerial Photos • Problem Segments
About the June Area Survey Largest data collection effort each year. Primary data source for mid-year crop acreage and
livestock reports Results published in the June 29th Acreage report
2018 June Area Segments
Purpose Provide the first clear indication of 2018 planted crop
acreage in the U.S., which provides the base for future production forecasts this season Help measure cattle and hog mid-year inventories, and expected calf and pig crops. Measure the incompleteness of our list sampling frame and Census mail list Identify the NOL (not-on-list) domain for the rest of the survey year
June Area Survey Calendar Data collection begins All Non-Ag segments in Austin Last day to deliver forms to NASDA Supervisors Last Day to UPS to Austin with Next Day AND Saturday delivery label All segments in Austin
Friday, May 25 ASAP Wednesday, June 6 Thursday, June 7
Saturday, June 9
What’s New Section C: (Sections to be Completed) – “CATTLE” box was added.
Section D: (Crops and Land use on Tract) Office use box item code 793 was added. Usable codes are as follows: 1 = Reported 2 = Observed 3 = Est CropScape 4 = Est FSA
5 = Est PRD 6 = Est Other
Reminders Oklahoma and Texas have approximately 20% new segments
this year
Color stripes on the Area Screening questionnaires and
Area Tract questionnaires
Due to regional processing of the survey, color stripes have
been added to Oklahoma to differentiate the forms of the two states. Green is being used to denote Oklahoma No stripe is being used to denote Texas If for some reason you have forms with the wrong identification, alert the Austin office immediately and we will work to rectify the situation. Under no circumstances should you use forms from the wrong state.
Your Job Locate and familiarize yourself with the segment Identify all tract operators (Ag and Non-Ag) Account for all land in the segment Record the most complete name, mailing address, and
contact information possible for each tract Correctly determine which operations have agricultural activity and complete required Area Tract questionnaire Be able to explain the purpose and importance of the June Area Survey
Your Job Accurately draw tract boundaries and fields Correctly identify field usage on the photo and in the
Area Tract questionnaire Gather complete and accurate information for all sections of the Area Tract questionnaire For refusal, partial refusal, and inaccessible Ag Tracts: make the best possible estimates from observation and knowledge of the operation Be efficient and organized to complete work on schedule Send in work as it is completed (partial segments)
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
June Aerial Photos
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 9
6
Aerial Photos Segments (normally) rotate on a five-year cycle. Each year we normally have about 20% new segments
and 80% returning segments. This year there are 277 new segments This year’s segments in OK and TX are from 2014 – 2016 and 2018 Some segments require more than one photo Labeled “1 of 2” and “2 of 2,” accordingly
Aerial Photos Make sure the operator understands exactly what
piece of land you are talking about You and the operator need to have the same, correct
orientation regarding segment and tract location
Aerial Photos Old segment photos will still have tract boundaries
from last year Tract operators and tract boundaries can change from
year to year You must verify all old tract boundaries and operators,
and make updates when necessary
Problem Segments 3 OK segments and 23 TX segments from 2017 were
identified and submitted as problem segments Problem segments have been reduced in size and tract number by as much as 1/2 or 2/3 Problem segments have orange markings on the aerial photo to outline the re-drawn segment, and to cross off the portions removed from last year All Ag and Non-Ag Tracts were printed using last year’s segment information Enumerators will re-screen the problem segment using last year’s tract information If an operator is no longer in the new re-drawn segment, put a large X on the face page of the Area Tract questionnaire and over the tract in the Screening form
Anatomy of a Segment • Segment • Tract
• Field • Acreage Grid • Calculating Acres
SEGMENT • What is a Segment? – Area of land with identifiable boundaries selected for the survey – Outlined in RED – Six-digit segment number and county name – Typically surveyed for 5 years • 20% rotation each year
– You MUST account for all of the land inside the segment • Including both agricultural and non-agricultural land.
SEGMENT Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
SEGMENT • You must account for every acre inside the Segment boundary – To do this you must identify the owners or operators of land inside the segment – Each owner or operator is assigned a Tract Letter (on the aerial photo and in the Area Screening questionnaire)
TRACT • What is a Tract? – Parcel of land under one operating arrangement which corresponds to a land operator, or non-ag land use – There are Ag Tracts and Non-Ag Tracts – Drawn in BLUE pencil (on aerial photo) – Represented by LETTERS • Starting with A and then using the next available letter • Separate letter for each tract • Letters should be CAPITALIZED and UNDERLINED
– Must be a tract for each row on the Area Screening questionnaire
TRACT Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
A
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
FIELD • What is a Field? – Parcel of land within a tract identifying crops, pasture, woods, waste, or other land uses – Boundary outlined in RED pen – Assigned a RED number
FIELD Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
A 1 Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Acreage Grid When the respondent does not report, or is unsure of,
tract or field acres, you will need to use the acreage grid to determine acres Aerial photos usually have a scale of 8 inches = 1 mile
Calculating Acres Equation for calculating acres Length X Width X 10 = # of Acres Examples: 8” X 8” X 10 = 640 acres 1” X 4” X 10 = 40 acres 1” X 1” X 10 = 10 acres
Sometimes you will have to make judgments about
how big tracts or fields are. Use your best estimate, but remember, the total acres have to add up!
3 X 2.4 X 10 = 72 acres
Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
3” A
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
2.4”
Area Screening/Prescreening • Area Frame Concepts • What is a Non-Ag tract, and why do they matter?
• Screening Procedures • ½ Acre Rule • Area Screening Questionnaire • Assigning Tract Letters
Area Frame Concepts Area Frame is a ‘complete’ sampling frame because every
acre of land, and therefore, every operator of land, is eligible to be sampled. So, we use the Area Frame to sample both the land and
the operators of land
Area Frame Concepts Because the June Area Survey is used to estimate crop
acres planted (Section D – Crops and Land Use on Tract), AND the total number of farm operations, AND livestock inventories and stocks of grain on entire operation – the correct determination of Ag versus Non-Ag tracts is paramount.
Non Ag Tracts What is a Non Ag Tract???
Is it the land or the operator or both???
Non Ag Tracts A tract of land within a segment is considered Non-Ag,
ONLY when the operator of the tract tells you that ALL the land he/she operates has no presence of agriculture. All screening questions (Columns 8 – 16) are accurately checked ‘no’. Column 16 is particularly important for older, retired land operators with idle cropland or more than 99 acres of pasture.
Screening Questionnaire Purpose Identifies the segment and lists each tract within that
segment Identifies all tract operators and use of land as of June 1 Ag Tracts Non-Ag Tracts PIGA Land Tracts
PRE-SCREENING/SCREENING • How do you find out who the owners or operators of these tracts are? – Old segments (or previously enumerated segments) will have all of the names and addresses listed in the corresponding screening questionnaire. – New segments will need to be pre-screened to find the possible owners or operators.
PRE-SCREENING • The purpose of pre-screening: – Identify segment boundaries, segment layout, nonagricultural areas within the segment, and the names and addresses of possible contacts.
• Usually reserved for new segments rotating into data collection. • Ask screening questions of operators based on their total acres operated
• Done prior to the official data collection period – So NO interviews should be conducted at that time.
PRE-SCREENING • By providing additional time to complete the screening process before data collection begins, prescreening… – provides enumerators sufficient time to be thorough in identifying the correct operators for the segment. – gives enumerators a head start – the activities that take place during prescreening would otherwise have to take place during the short data collection window. – ensures operations identified and data collected during June are as accurate as possible. This is especially important because these data are used as a baseline for other surveys and remain in the system a full year.
PRE-SCREENING Goals • For new segments and some established segments – Discover operating arrangements and draw tract boundaries within new segments – Obtain names, addresses, and phone numbers of operators for re-contact during the data collection period – Ask screening questions of operators based on their total acres operated – Take notes on any observed livestock and crops, landmarks, and natural boundaries in case you are unable to contact the operator on your return visit
How to PRE-SCREEN • Stop and talk to people to find out who are the owners or operators • Identify all possible operators by using supplemental data sources: – FSA data, plat maps, Internet searches, etc
• Tentatively complete the Area Screening questionnaire • Determine if tract operators need to complete an Area Tract questionnaire – BUT do not complete the questionnaire until the survey start date
• Use the ½ Acre Screening Rule for residential areas
How to PRE-SCREEN • FSA names and addresses – Based on current records maintained by FSA – You are provided with all known names/operations associated with the FSA farm number – Be sure to verify spellings, addresses and phone numbers
How to PRE-SCREEN Tools • • • •
Driving around the segment FSA maps and listings (provided if available) Internet searches (can use iPads) County Assessor offices
FSA Maps and Listings State County 123
Segment 181004
FSA Maps and Listings
Listing was included with most FSA maps if available
1/2 Acre Rule (IM Page 503) The only scenario which does not require a screening interview
is a tract where the parcel is ½ acre or less and there is no presence of agricultural activity or equine. Tracts like these should be designated Non-Ag, and multiple contiguous tracts like this may be combined into one tract letter. These are often residential areas.
Parcels of any size, including ½ acre or less, which have
agricultural activity or equine present, are Ag Tracts and must have the screening questions and Area Tract questionnaire completed.
All operators of parcels greater than ½ acre in size require a
screening interview to determine if they qualify for an Area Tract questionnaire.
1/2 Acre Rule (IM Page 503) Non-Ag Tracts with ½ acre or less can be combined 3 tracts combined into letter B = .9 Acres
C D
.6 1/2
B
.5
.6
.5
2 more Non-Ag Tracts combined with letter B = 1.9 Acres .3 .3
.3
Anything greater than ½ an acre is a separate letter for Ag or Non Ag.
.4
A
22.0 4.5
SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE • The Area Screening questionnaire is a tract directory used to: – Record complete names and addresses for all tract operators (both Ag and Non-Ag) – Determine if a tract operator qualifies for an Area Tract questionnaire – Verify the number of tract letters listed matches the number of tract letters on the aerial photo – Verify sum of reported acres matches digitized acres
• ‘Old’ Tracts will already be listed • ‘New’ Tracts must be added to the Area Screening questionnaire with complete names and addresses.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE • IF a ‘Yes’ or ‘DK’ is marked on any question 8-16, you must complete an Area Tract questionnaire for this operator because agricultural activity has been determined. – These questions refer to the ENTIRE operation, not just the tract acres.
• For Non-Ag tracts, the interview ends in the Area Screening questionnaire. Thus, questions 8 – 16 are all ‘NO’, and columns 18, 20, and 20a must be completed. Use the decimal point for acreages listed in column 18.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE • PIGA land (Public, Industrial or Grazing Association) is handled differently in some states. – The Area Screening questionnaire has extra columns to handle PIGA land
• Column 7 asks if this tract is Public, Industrial, or Grazing Association land used on an AUM basis. – If ‘YES’: Enter acres in column 21 and conclude the interview
Assigning Tract Letters • Assign letters A, B, C, etc., in order, as you screen the tracts • Do not skip any letters
• Never reuse a letter • If all 26 letters are used, start using double letters: AA, BB, CC, etc.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments Use the same tract letters as last year if the operator is the same. Previously enumerated tract letters can be identified on the label on Page 2 of the Area Screening questionnaire and on the Area Tract questionnaire.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments • If a different person is now operating a tract enumerated last year, cross out the old name and tract letter in the Area Screening questionnaire. • If the new operator is new to the segment, enter the name and address on the next available line in the Area Screening questionnaire and assign the next unused tract letter. Also write the name, address and new tract letter on a blank Area Tract questionnaire. •Erase the old tract letter on the photo and write in the new letter.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments In this example, Bill Riggs sold his land to Bob White. Bob White did not operate land in this segment last year. Do NOT use the same tract letter but assign a new tract letter to Bob White.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments BILL RIGGS 456 COUNTY RD 34 Agtown, US 54321
160000 99
2156
1 6 0000
B
160000
Agland 99
02
Previous Operator
2156
160000
Bob White 1320 Anywhere Drive
Anytown
555
XX
22130
E
Agland
05
New Operator
550 - 7788
New Operator gets NEW Tract Letter and Questionnaire
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments
X through former operator
Now Tract E
Assign next unused tract letter
New Ag Tracts and Non-Ag Tracts • For Ag Tracts, write the complete name/address ON a blank Area Tract questionnaire. – Also, write the name/address in the Area Screening questionnaire.
• For Non-Ag Tracts, write the complete name/address IN the Area Screening questionnaire.
Things to remember • DON’T FORGET: You must account for all land inside the red segment boundaries for all segments.
• All land inside the segment must belong to an Ag Tract or a Non-Ag Tract. • Be sure you have completed the entire segment by verifying the number of tracts completed and acreages on the back page of the Area Screening questionnaire.
Conducting a Screening Interview • Area Screening Questionnaire • When to fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire
• Coding Column 20a
Area Screening Questionnaire
99
1855
1
183095
1
Fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire if... On the total acres operated there has been or will be,
this year… Any crops, hay, livestock, poultry, or aquaculture
produced Any agricultural products or receive government payments On the total acres operated there are any crops in
storage now or will be before June 1 of next year The operator owned or raised any hogs or pigs in the past 12 months, or if he or she expects to this year
Fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire if... On the total acres operated there were horses,
ponies, or any other equine, regardless of ownership The operation grew any vegetables, melons, fruit, nuts, or berries (Excluding home use) The operation grew any nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, sod, cut Christmas trees, or other woody crops (Excluding home use) On the total acres operated there was any idle cropland or more than 99 acres of permanent pasture
Accounting for NON-AG Tracts • If columns 8 - 16 are all checked “No,” continue with column 18. • NON-AG Tracts must have columns 18, 20, and 20a completed • Column 18 - Non-Agricultural Land Use Acres • Column 20 - Observed Agricultural Potential • Column 20a – Type of Non-Agricultural Land
Coding Column 20a Used for best describing Non-AG Tracts Available codes are provided on a green half-sheet
card in your workshop folder Can also be found in the IM – Page 530
Guidelines Data collection begins May 25th Project Code 124 – specific to data collection Use all normal screening processes including asking
the screening questions for the total acres operated
th 25
It’s May Time to start interviewing the operators in our segment!
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
A
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Area Tract Questionnaire • Face Page • Section A
• Section C • Section D
Area Tract Questionnaire • When do you complete an Area Tract questionnaire? – For each tract operator who qualifies as a possible farm operator • Any screening question (Column 8-16) = Yes or DK – – – – –
All agricultural producers Sell ag products or receive gov't payments Crops stored now or before June 1 of next year Has livestock Has idle cropland or more than 99 acres of pasture
Face Page for a Returning Area Tract Make any corrections necessary Name Address Phone Numbers
Make certain that all information is recorded
accurately Spelling Suffices (Sr., Jr., etc.) Numbers (Remember: New operator = new tract letter)
Face Page for a Returning Area Tract Barcode – NEVER write over this
Segment # Phone Number
99 000164506 01 00 002761 0000147396 0 SEQ048-9410
Tract #
99 2156 164506 01 STR 3 55 30 40 48100555555
A
164506 2156
TRACT A ACRE 1000.0 OPDOM 00 96 311 999 888 LID 450002010
Tract Acres
5551234567 IMA FARMER 456 COUNTY RD 34 Agtown, US 54321
99
Tract Letter
164506
01
Agland
Face Page for New Tracts For new
questionnaires, please don’t write in this space After all forms
have been processed in Austin, there will be a barcode attached in this space
If this space starts out BLANK leave this space BLANK
Face Page for New Tracts Record information
for the new tract below the line in the boxes provided 183095 99
1855
A 183095
Ag Super Farms
Ima Farmer 100 FM 20 Agland 555
US 555-5717
54321
01
Agland
Section A – Operation Description Identifies operating arrangement Individual Partnership Hired Manager
Determines the operator Identifies any partners Name Address Phone Numbers
Section A - Operation Description • How does NASS define the OPERATOR? – Person who makes most of the day-to-day decisions
• What if partners share equally? – Then the oldest is considered the operator
Section A - Operation Description • Managed operations must have an Operation Name! • Only one operating arrangement per Area Tract questionnaire!
Section C – Sections to be Completed (IM 605-607)
Purpose: To determine if additional questions for the
entire operation are required. We ask these questions for operators who may not be represented in our list sample Determination made by following the simple question flow in items 1 through 5 Saves time when entire farm information is not needed Ensures questions are asked when entire farm information is needed On some returning Ag Tracts the CROPS-STOCKS and CATTLE box will already be checked
Section C – Sections to be Completed
• Remember to follow the enumerator instructions very carefully
Section D - Crops and Land Use on Tract Section D collects detailed information on ALL
ACREAGE inside the BLUE TRACT boundary Fields and land use examples:
Farmstead Crops Pasture Idle Cropland Wasteland Woodland Multiple uses in same field
Field Boundaries and Numbers • After the blue tract boundaries are drawn off, draw off the field boundaries within the tract • Be sure to switch from blue to red pen before drawing field boundaries • Number the fields with red pen • Current field boundaries may differ from those appearing on the photo – Boundaries may have changed since the photo was taken.
Fields • A field is a continuous area of land devoted to one crop or land use • Field boundaries are drawn off in RED pen • Fields are numbered in RED pen
If the operator lives inside the segment, Field 1 must be the farmstead. If the operator lives outside the segment, Field 1 will be the most accessible or easiest field to identify on the aerial photo.
Fields • Minimum field size is one-tenth of an acre (0.1) • All acreage entries to be recorded to the tenth of an acre (Example: 20 ½ acres = 20.5) • Areas of idle land, woodland, and wasteland greater than 5.0 acres should be drawn off as separate fields. • Areas less than 5.0 acres of trees, brush, marsh etc. within a crop field can be recorded as waste within that field. • If operation has more than 9 fields in the tract, use the Section D supplement sheet.
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
A
1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
The first field is the farmstead Fields are drawn off – as one continuous area devoted to one crop or land use. This is the only combination allowed when you have a farmstead You can not combine other uses such as pasture, woodland or crops.
Can include pens, buildings & other structures. Other occupied dwelling should be drawn off as separate tract letter.
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 2 – 83 acres of irrigated corn for grain
N
2
1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 2 – 83 acres of irrigated corn for grain
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 3 – 50 acres of upland cotton
N
2 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 3 – 50 acres of upland cotton
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 4 – 112 acres of wheat (grazed) followed by irrigated soybeans to be planted
N
2
4 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 4 – 112 acres of wheat (grazed) followed by irrigated soybeans to be planted
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 5 – 95 acres of haygrazer for hay – 2 acres of waste
N
2
4 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
5
Field 5 – 95 acres of haygrazer for hay – 2 acres of waste
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 6 – 120 acre field with 2X1 upland cotton
N
2
4 5
A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
6
Field 6 – 120 acre field with 2X1 upland cotton
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 7 – 8 acres of irrigated pecans
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
6
Field 7 – 8 acres of irrigated pecans
Line 81 – Other Crops • Record acreage of any crops not pre-printed on a line in the table. • Oklahoma has Item Code 848 pre-printed on the questionnaire.
• Texas has blank Item codes that will be entered by the regional field office
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 8 – 19 acres of CRP
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 6
Field 8 – 19 acres of CRP
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 9 – 34 acres of permanent pasture
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 9
6
Field 9 – 34 acres of permanent pasture
• Review your work to make sure all FIELD acres in the BLUE tract boundary are accurate and accounted for. Check Addition for Total Tract Acres
TOTAL TRACT ACRES (Item code 840) • Add the acreage listed on line 1 for each field and enter the total in box 840.
TOTAL TRACT ACRES (Item code 840) • If box 840 differs from the figure in the box at the top of page 4, check with the respondent for errors and correct as necessary: – Did they include all waste acres? – Did you or the respondent miss a field? – Did you mis-record acres in a field?
Section D – Crops and Land Use on Tract
• Question 82 – Tract Cropland with Irrigation Potential – All cropland acres with irrigation equipment should be recorded • Even if not used this year.
SECTION D CROPS AND LAND USE ON TRACT • Section D must be completed for every Area Tract questionnaire!!! • For Refusals and Inaccessibles you will still need to draw the fields off, number the fields and complete Section D to the best of your ability. • Use your grid to determine field acreages • Observe what is in the fields or what may be planted.
SECTION D CROPS AND LAND USE ON TRACT • Be sure all fields are drawn off and numbered in each tract. • Be sure the land use is written in Section D for each field and the acreage is correct.
Section D Cheat Sheet
Section D Exercise
Section E – Total Acres Operated and Land Use Shifts focus of interview from tract to entire operation Identifies total acres in operation Owned, rented to others, and rented from others Cropland, conservation programs (CRP or WRP) Cash rent Specific crop acreages Genetically Modified (GM) crops
Item 1-3 asks for acres owned plus acres rented from others minus acres rented out to others, summing to the total acres operated. Item 4 asks if the operation paid on a per-head or animal unit month (AUM) basis for livestock to graze on any land Item 6 compares total acres operated to tract acres If estimating total acres or getting from a secondhand source, please make a note about your confidence in the accuracy of this number.
Item 7 asks for the number of acres considered to be cropland. Item 8 asks for the number of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) – Item 8 acres cannot be more than item 7
Item 9 asks about acres rented for cash and the cash rent per acre
Item 10 refers to the Crop-Stocks box on page 3. If checked: Continue If NOT checked: Skip to Section G If the box is not checked, then this operation is on our List of Farmers and we do not need to ask all of the questions.
Item 11 asks for the number of acres planted for fruit, berries, and Christmas trees
Item 12 asks the enumerator if any small grains were recorded in Section D. Item 13 asks for the number of acres planted (or to be planted) for the listed crops.
SECTION E.1 GM Crops on Total Acres Operated
• • •
Provides data for state estimates of acreage planted with biotech seed varieties or “genetically modified” (GM) varieties This data gives us a measure of how quickly the use of biotechnology is growing in agriculture NASS publishes corn, soybean and cotton acreage planted with biotech seed varieties, commonly referred to as ‘genetically modified’ (GM) varieties.
For corn and cotton, acres planted with: Stacked gene varieties, Herbicide resistant varieties and Bt only varieties For soybeans acres planted with: A herbicide resistant only variety See IM pages 632-635 for some trade names GM planted acres for each crop must be equal to or less than the number of acres reported in Section E, Item 13
If the respondent planted GM varieties, but doesn’t know or refuses the number of acres Check ‘Yes’ Write ‘DK’ next to the acreage box Code Box 688 = 1
DK
DK
DK DK
1
If the only person that you could track down to get information on the operation was the foreman and he knew all the correct acreages but had no idea if Mr. Farmer had planted any GM acreage, what would you code box 688?
2
Code Box 688 = 2
If questions 12-14 were all answered as NO, what would you code box 688?
3
Code Box 688 = 3
Section F – Grains and Oilseeds in Storage on Entire Operation Collect amount of Total Storage Capacity On total acres operated All structures normally used to store whole grains or
oilseeds Stocks on hand What counts as grain storage capacity? Structures that are normally used to store whole grains or oilseeds on the total acres operated. • Whole grains (Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, Barley, etc) OR • Whole oilseeds (Soybeans, Sunflowers, etc)
Exclude ground storage and structures not normally used to store whole grains or oilseeds. Be sure to exclude any storage at commercial elevators.
Section F – Grains and Oilseeds in Storage on Entire Operation • Account for all whole grains and oilseeds stored June 1 on the total acres operated. • Include: – – – – –
All grains and oilseeds in permanent and temporary storage facilities Any unprocessed whole grains, even those intended for feed or seed Someone else’s grain if stored on this operation All government stored grain located on this operation All stocks from previous year’s production
• Exclude: – Any grain changed from its original form (rolled, cracked, or milled) – Any grains or oilseeds with no economic value such as contaminated or rotted – Any grains or oilseeds stored off farm such as “at the elevator” or “stored in town”
Texas
Pounds instead of bushels for Sorghum
Texas only
Oklahoma
Pounds instead of bushels for Canola
Area Tract Questionnaire • Section G • Section H
• Section I • Section J • Section K • Section L
Observing Livestock for Refusals and Inaccessibles Make a note that the section is “observed” or “estimated” If you have basic knowledge of the operation and can
observe animals, complete all items in the section as if it was a good interview If you are fairly certain of livestock presence, but do not know the operation well and cannot observe the livestock, please make a note of likely herd size, carrying capacity of pastures, type of operation – stocker, cow-calf, etc. Complete as much as possible If you do not think that livestock are present, based on your observation, please make a note and complete the screening questions at the top of the section
ALL LIVESTOCK SECTIONS (G-K) MUST BE COMPLETED OR ESTIMATED
SECTION G
Hogs and Pigs • Collect data on all hogs and pigs – Owned by the operator, regardless of location – Raised by the operator, regardless of location
•
Item 1 screens for the presence of hogs – Both owned by the operation OR – Being raised for someone else •
Follow the routing on the questionnaire
•
Item 2 asks for the total hogs and pigs on the total acres operated
•
Item 3 asks if any of the hogs are owned by someone else. – If YES: • • •
How many? Who owns them? Is the owner a contractor?
•
Item 4 asks how many hogs and pigs this operation owns regardless of location.
•
Item 5 asks if any of the Item 4 hogs are located on someone else’s land or hog facility
•
Item 6 asks if the operation has done business under any other business name in the last 12 months. – This helps to avoid possible duplication between our List and Area surveys.
Section G must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION H Total Cattle and Calves • Collect data on all cattle and calves – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
SECTION H Total Cattle and Calves
• Check to see if the CATTLE BOX was checked on Page 3
• Remember to follow the enumerator instructions very carefully
Check Math
Check Math
SECTION I Sheep and Lambs • Collect data on all sheep and lambs – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
Section I must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION J Goats and Kids • Collect data on all goats and kids – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership – Report based on utilization regardless of breed
Section J must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION K Equine • Collect data on all horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, or burros – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
Section K must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION L Other Agricultural Information • Collect data on agricultural labor
– MUST be paid workers
Area Tract Questionnaire • Section M • Section N
• Section O • Section P • Section R
SECTION M Land Values • The information collected in this section is used to prepare estimates of average state-level farmland values. • Tract Acres – Value per acre of land inside the BLUE tract boundaries
• Entire Farm – Total value of land and buildings on the entire operation
• If the operator refuses this section, it should be left blank – Enumerators should not estimate land values
Be sure to check the boxes for land types that were reported in Section D. If reported in Section D, there should be a value for each corresponding land type.
Section M - Land Values should NOT be estimated
Section N Economic Data on Entire Operation • Classify the operation based on… – value of sales during the PREVIOUS YEAR, or – farm points
• Farm points when sales are under $1,000 (Code 99 or 1) • Categorize operation based on largest portion of gross income
• Check the box next to the value range that most represents the operation’s gross value of sales. • Follow Enumerator Action instructions after coding box 860
Section N – Point Recording Sheet •
ONLY enter data on this sheet for tract operators who had less than $1,000 in sales or government payments during the PREVIOUS year
IF YES, • List all CURRENT year agricultural activity on the total acres operated • Enter names for other crops not listed on the point sheet on the blank lines provided. • Record all acreage to the nearest tenth of an acre. – One decimal place
•
Do not include the farmstead on the point recording sheet
95 0
DO NOT include Farmstead
2 0 1 0
Farmstead 500
34 0
83 0
170 0
2 0
8 0
112 0
Section N – Type of Farm • Based on the gross value of sales, select the category that the largest portion of the gross value of sales came from. – If the respondent reports that their sales are split ≈ 50/50, ask which group is more important and is the primary production activity.
• If there were NO sales during the previous year, select the category that best describes the farm type.
• Don’t forget to enter the code in box 862
Section P Operator Characteristics • All questions in this section must be asked of the respondent • You may determine from observation only after the respondent refuses one of these questions and you have completed the interview (i.e., do not estimate in front of the respondent) • Items in Section P can only be left blank if the entire questionnaire is coded a refusal or inaccessible
Section P can only be left blank if the entire questionnaire is coded a refusal or inaccessible.
Section R - Conclusion 3 Please write notes explaining any unusual circumstances/ conditions or notes about the validity of questionable data.
Be sure to fill out the bottom of the back page 06
Can only code as Complete, Estimated Refusal, or Estimated Inaccessible
01
18
Finishing the Area Tract: Optimizing Data Quality • Coding the Response Box • Estimating
• Partial Segment Submission • What Happens After Forms are Submitted to Austin? • Comments • Handwriting and Legibility • Summary
Coding the Response Code Box (9901) When can it be considered a “1” (Complete)?
You interviewed the operator You interviewed the operator’s spouse You interviewed a partner You interviewed the bookkeeper Special circumstances – if you talk to the son or daughter, or other person who is very close with the operation
“Complete” reports require firsthand information If you code the Respondent code box as “9” (Other),
we want to know who you interviewed
Coding the Response Code Box (9901) When should you use a “5” (Refusal-Estimated) or a
“6” (Inaccessible-Estimated)? You talked to someone at USDA’s Farm Service Agency
You talked to a neighbor You estimated by observation The firsthand source only answered a small part of the
Area Tract questionnaire Any time you use information from a source that is not close with the operator/operation (secondhand)
Why Correct Coding is Important Forms labeled as “5” or “6” (Estimated) get reviewed
by more experienced staff who have access to tools that may help fine tune your estimates It protects the credibility of the data collected during the June Area Survey
Estimating Refusals and Inaccessibles Prioritize! Absolutely must: Complete, correct, legible name and address for every tract Section D – your observation as to what is inside the tract High priority: Anything you can estimate by observation or inference. Examples: Cattle on operation and maybe estimation of amount or rate Grain storage facilities and capacities Type of land and/or operation (cropland/pasture) Estimated size of operation or economic category
Estimation procedures also apply to item and/or section
refusals
Complete refused items and/or sections with any possible
observational data after you leave the respondent Make notes as needed
Partial Segment Submission • Get completed and estimated questionnaires to your supervisors as soon as possible so they can send them to Austin. • Refusals ESPECIALLY need to get to Austin earlier, as the amount of time those take to process is usually double or more than that of a complete questionnaire. • We have provided your supervisors with next day and Saturday UPS delivery labels to help them meet our benchmarks
• PLEASE DO NOT HOLD QUESTIONNAIRES
What happens after questionnaires are submitted to Austin? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
After opening UPS packages, questionnaires are sorted and checked-in Screening questionnaires are edited and decisions are made as to whether questionnaires have name and address updates Name and address updates are made Questionnaires are edited by hand, and estimations are made/verified for refusals and inaccessibles using available tools and historical data Questionnaires are keyed by data entry staff Questionnaires are edited in a computer-based edit system Area Tract questionnaires get merged into the proper segment for accounting and reference The data are run through yet another computer-based edit Data are analyzed for outliers State estimates are determined and submitted to D.C. for approval D.C. addresses any concerns with the data, finalizes numbers, and releases the June 29th Acreage report publication
What happens after questionnaires are submitted to Austin?
Writing Comments Any time you can give us an indication of the source of
an estimated value and/or your confidence in it, it helps us to know how accurate it is. This is particularly important in: Section E – Total acres operated (include acres both
inside and outside the tract) Section E.1 and F – Completion codes Sections G-K – Livestock sections Section R – Response code box
Enumerator Notes
Handwriting and Legibility Clear Handwriting Makes Clear Meaning Please write clearly! Even if you are rushed and/or writing on the hood of
your car, please take the time later to make sure the information can be easily interpreted. This goes for both the Area Screening and the Area Tract questionnaires When someone gives you their name and contact information, try to confirm the correct spelling
Why is Legibility so Important? Next year’s Screening questionnaire will have the name
and address information you write preprinted on it NOL (not-on-list) Determination – the more info you collect that is accurate and clearly written, the better we can determine if this operation is already on our list frame This greatly impacts the output of the survey, and the effects
of this determination last at least one full year
NOL (not-on-list) Sampling – ARMS, Quarterly Ag Survey,
Cattle, Sheep and Goats, Hogs, and more
It is very important when mailing forms (something we do
with some surveys) to have the correct contact information Do you open mail if your name is wrong or misspelled? Other projects use Area Frame information
Summary You
Attend trainings Find the segment Locate the tract operators Brave the heat, wind, hail, dogs, etc. Gain cooperation from respondents Collect the data Verify data are written correctly Ensure all land and tracts are accounted for STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR Complete all of this in less than two weeks each year
Summary Keep these five items in mind to make sure that all of
your hard work goes to the best possible use Code the response code box on the back correctly
Estimate for refusals and inaccessibles Submit work as soon as it is completed Write clear and important comments in places they will
be seen Write everything legibly
Finishing the Segment
We have finished our first interview! Time to go back to our Area Screening questionnaire and see who we need to interview next
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE – Back Page
SCREENING QUESTIONNARE – Back Page • Items 1 and 2 are used to verify that the number of tract letters listed on the photo match the number of tracts listed in the Area Screening questionnaire. • Then verify that the number of Ag Tracts, Non-Ag Tracts, and PIGA Tracts equal the total tract letters listed in items 1 and 2.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARE – Back Page • Copy acreage for each Ag Tract, Non-Ag Tract, and PIGA Land Tract to the back of the Area Screening questionnaire by using the worksheet or comment lines
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE – Back Page
• Reported Acres – Add up all acres (ag and non-ag) from the Segment. • Must be within 5% of pre-printed Digitized Acres, we really should not be off at all Reported acreage limits for this example: Min: 656 Max: 725 06 - 01 - 18
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED A JUNE AREA SEGMENT!!
United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Plains Regional Field Office
Administrative Notes
191
Due Dates
192
Due Dates • Prescreening has begun, dates are May 1 – May 24, it will continue until Data Collection • Most enumerators are working both Wheat OY and June Area, pay close attention to due dates • In some areas, you may need to complete the final Wheat OY Pre-harvest visit or the Gleaning during the June Area time, stay in touch with operators 193
Due Dates • Supervisors will collect the June Area tract questionnaires, screening forms and photos • Some supervisor territories will have an assistant supervisor to help with these duties • Stay in touch with your supervisor!! • Tract Questionnaires need to be sent to Austin as completed, DO NOT HOLD QUESTIONNAIRES 194
More Due Dates • June Area is completed on paper • Non-matched surveys due June 11 by noon • All List surveys are to be completed in CAPI/MOST within 24 • Complete matched surveys even if not in the segment 195
Other Surveys, Match and Non-Match • • • • •
June APS (a.k.a. June List, Crop/Stocks, Ag Survey) June Hogs ARMS I Ag Yield Wheat Objective Yield
196
IPAD News • Approved to Update iPads to 11.3 • Updates require wireless internet (Wifi) and a fully charged iPAD or plug in • Updates will continue on a regular basis • It is important to wait until we give the “Okay” to run the updates • Once the “Okay” is given, run the update as soon as possible • Find a place locally (library, McDonald’s) where wifi is available free of charge • Watch for Announcements on MOST, some items may affect data collection 197
Timesheet Time and Hours • Document time and mileage daily. – No longer have to show a break • Double check for project codes on all mileage, cell phone charges, and other expenses, soon the system will require a project code • During May and June, most enumerators will work on June Area (124), Wheat (101), June List (Ag Survey) (123), and others • It is important to separate time among all the project codes 198
Timesheet Comments • Do not put any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in timesheet comments • City information is fine and should be included along with which surveys are worked • Names, addresses, etc. should not be in timesheet comments • NASDA personnel and system programmers are not authorized to view operator PII 199
What New with iSolved • Employee Messages – these will come as needed for items such as Driver’s License Number and Confidentiality • Performance Reviews – Supervisors will now complete Survey and Annual Reviews in iSolved • When completed, enumerators will View and Acknowledge the Reviews in iSolved 200
201
202
iSolved|Go App • iSoved Go App for Apple and Android phones Check Paystub Check W2 Verify Timesheet View Timesheet Does not require a verification code Supervisors have a copy of instructions 203
Downloading iSolved | Go from Google Play/Apple Store 1. On your Android/Apple smart phone, open the application store and use the search term “iSolved” to find the application 2. Select the option to install this application
204
1.
Enabling iSolved Access with iSolved | Go Select the icon in the bottom left portion of the login screen.
2.
On the Network Partner tab, enter the following into the Network Partner ID field: payrollnetwork
3.
Click the Save button to save the configuration. This should only need to be configured the first time.
205
Logging into the iSolved | Go Application 1. Enter your iSolved user name in the User Name field. This is always your email address. 2. Enter your iSolved password in the Password field. 3. Click on the Login button to log into the application. •
The user name entered here can be remembered by the application by checking the box next to Remember Me. Only the password will need to be entered to log into the iSolved | Go application.
•
Note: If your phone uses a secured lock screen (with a PIN, pattern or fingerprint) the Password will be remembered as well.
206
Reminders • • • • • • • •
Safety first! Please be a safe and considerate driver As always, survey data and PII are confidential Managing work can be a challenge Stay in contact with your supervisor Report problems and issues early NASDA-NASS website Use all of the resources you have 207
Workshop Participation • • • • • •
Project Code 124 for the entire workshop Enumerators enter time and mileage The Austin office will enter amounts for Meals The Austin office will pay for the hotel rooms Enumerators pay for personal room charges Thank you!
208
United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Plains Regional Office Norman, OK San Marcos, TX Abilene, TX
School Plans Survey Introduction and Purpose June Area Survey Basics – materials, maps, terms and definitions, etc.
Area Screening questionnaire – procedures, rules, Ag vs Non-Ag, coding requirements,
etc. Area Tract Questionnaire – Fill out an example, discuss details and things to watch
Coordinated Surveys
Hotel Information Austin office will pay for the hotel room Enumerators pay for room service, movies, and
other room charges Hotel may put a hold on debit cards Report issues with your room, bill, etc. Meeting rooms have water stations Hotel layout – restrooms, fitness center, restaurant, etc.
Workshop Participation
Big classroom with large attendance Set cell phones to silent or vibrate Listen to presenters, note sound problems Ask questions – Please raise hands Limit side conversations and comments Will have several breaks through the day – Please return promptly!
Materials Already Sent to Enumerators Letter with survey and workshop details Enumerator quiz
Prescreening Guide Blank Area Screening questionnaire
Blank Area Tract questionnaire Agricultural Surveys Interviewer Manual
Workshop Folder Contents – Left Side
Agenda Participant roster Workshop evaluation Survey calendar and coordinated surveys information UPS instructions Thank you sheet (with OMB burden statement, sales card) Letter regarding USDA-FSA cooperation 2 Press releases: 2018 June Area Survey and 2017 June Acreage estimate publication Pre-survey letters to producers: June Area Survey and June Quarterly Ag Survey (a.k.a. Crops/Stocks or June List)
Workshop Folder Contents – Right Side
Screening questionnaire column 20a definitions Completed Tract questionnaire for Presentation Blank Section D for practice exercise Blank Section D Supplement Section D “cheat sheet” Blank questionnaires for Area Screening questionnaire Area Tract questionnaire June Quarterly Ag Survey
Overview • About the June Area Survey • Purpose • June Area Survey Calendar • What’s New, Your Job
• Aerial Photos • Problem Segments
About the June Area Survey Largest data collection effort each year. Primary data source for mid-year crop acreage and
livestock reports Results published in the June 29th Acreage report
2018 June Area Segments
Purpose Provide the first clear indication of 2018 planted crop
acreage in the U.S., which provides the base for future production forecasts this season Help measure cattle and hog mid-year inventories, and expected calf and pig crops. Measure the incompleteness of our list sampling frame and Census mail list Identify the NOL (not-on-list) domain for the rest of the survey year
June Area Survey Calendar Data collection begins All Non-Ag segments in Austin Last day to deliver forms to NASDA Supervisors Last Day to UPS to Austin with Next Day AND Saturday delivery label All segments in Austin
Friday, May 25 ASAP Wednesday, June 6 Thursday, June 7
Saturday, June 9
What’s New Section C: (Sections to be Completed) – “CATTLE” box was added.
Section D: (Crops and Land use on Tract) Office use box item code 793 was added. Usable codes are as follows: 1 = Reported 2 = Observed 3 = Est CropScape 4 = Est FSA
5 = Est PRD 6 = Est Other
Reminders Oklahoma and Texas have approximately 20% new segments
this year
Color stripes on the Area Screening questionnaires and
Area Tract questionnaires
Due to regional processing of the survey, color stripes have
been added to Oklahoma to differentiate the forms of the two states. Green is being used to denote Oklahoma No stripe is being used to denote Texas If for some reason you have forms with the wrong identification, alert the Austin office immediately and we will work to rectify the situation. Under no circumstances should you use forms from the wrong state.
Your Job Locate and familiarize yourself with the segment Identify all tract operators (Ag and Non-Ag) Account for all land in the segment Record the most complete name, mailing address, and
contact information possible for each tract Correctly determine which operations have agricultural activity and complete required Area Tract questionnaire Be able to explain the purpose and importance of the June Area Survey
Your Job Accurately draw tract boundaries and fields Correctly identify field usage on the photo and in the
Area Tract questionnaire Gather complete and accurate information for all sections of the Area Tract questionnaire For refusal, partial refusal, and inaccessible Ag Tracts: make the best possible estimates from observation and knowledge of the operation Be efficient and organized to complete work on schedule Send in work as it is completed (partial segments)
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
June Aerial Photos
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 9
6
Aerial Photos Segments (normally) rotate on a five-year cycle. Each year we normally have about 20% new segments
and 80% returning segments. This year there are 277 new segments This year’s segments in OK and TX are from 2014 – 2016 and 2018 Some segments require more than one photo Labeled “1 of 2” and “2 of 2,” accordingly
Aerial Photos Make sure the operator understands exactly what
piece of land you are talking about You and the operator need to have the same, correct
orientation regarding segment and tract location
Aerial Photos Old segment photos will still have tract boundaries
from last year Tract operators and tract boundaries can change from
year to year You must verify all old tract boundaries and operators,
and make updates when necessary
Problem Segments 3 OK segments and 23 TX segments from 2017 were
identified and submitted as problem segments Problem segments have been reduced in size and tract number by as much as 1/2 or 2/3 Problem segments have orange markings on the aerial photo to outline the re-drawn segment, and to cross off the portions removed from last year All Ag and Non-Ag Tracts were printed using last year’s segment information Enumerators will re-screen the problem segment using last year’s tract information If an operator is no longer in the new re-drawn segment, put a large X on the face page of the Area Tract questionnaire and over the tract in the Screening form
Anatomy of a Segment • Segment • Tract
• Field • Acreage Grid • Calculating Acres
SEGMENT • What is a Segment? – Area of land with identifiable boundaries selected for the survey – Outlined in RED – Six-digit segment number and county name – Typically surveyed for 5 years • 20% rotation each year
– You MUST account for all of the land inside the segment • Including both agricultural and non-agricultural land.
SEGMENT Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
SEGMENT • You must account for every acre inside the Segment boundary – To do this you must identify the owners or operators of land inside the segment – Each owner or operator is assigned a Tract Letter (on the aerial photo and in the Area Screening questionnaire)
TRACT • What is a Tract? – Parcel of land under one operating arrangement which corresponds to a land operator, or non-ag land use – There are Ag Tracts and Non-Ag Tracts – Drawn in BLUE pencil (on aerial photo) – Represented by LETTERS • Starting with A and then using the next available letter • Separate letter for each tract • Letters should be CAPITALIZED and UNDERLINED
– Must be a tract for each row on the Area Screening questionnaire
TRACT Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
A
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
FIELD • What is a Field? – Parcel of land within a tract identifying crops, pasture, woods, waste, or other land uses – Boundary outlined in RED pen – Assigned a RED number
FIELD Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
A 1 Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Acreage Grid When the respondent does not report, or is unsure of,
tract or field acres, you will need to use the acreage grid to determine acres Aerial photos usually have a scale of 8 inches = 1 mile
Calculating Acres Equation for calculating acres Length X Width X 10 = # of Acres Examples: 8” X 8” X 10 = 640 acres 1” X 4” X 10 = 40 acres 1” X 1” X 10 = 10 acres
Sometimes you will have to make judgments about
how big tracts or fields are. Use your best estimate, but remember, the total acres have to add up!
3 X 2.4 X 10 = 72 acres
Agtown, US 183001 1 of 1
3” A
Agtown, US 183001 Total Seg Acres 600 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
2.4”
Area Screening/Prescreening • Area Frame Concepts • What is a Non-Ag tract, and why do they matter?
• Screening Procedures • ½ Acre Rule • Area Screening Questionnaire • Assigning Tract Letters
Area Frame Concepts Area Frame is a ‘complete’ sampling frame because every
acre of land, and therefore, every operator of land, is eligible to be sampled. So, we use the Area Frame to sample both the land and
the operators of land
Area Frame Concepts Because the June Area Survey is used to estimate crop
acres planted (Section D – Crops and Land Use on Tract), AND the total number of farm operations, AND livestock inventories and stocks of grain on entire operation – the correct determination of Ag versus Non-Ag tracts is paramount.
Non Ag Tracts What is a Non Ag Tract???
Is it the land or the operator or both???
Non Ag Tracts A tract of land within a segment is considered Non-Ag,
ONLY when the operator of the tract tells you that ALL the land he/she operates has no presence of agriculture. All screening questions (Columns 8 – 16) are accurately checked ‘no’. Column 16 is particularly important for older, retired land operators with idle cropland or more than 99 acres of pasture.
Screening Questionnaire Purpose Identifies the segment and lists each tract within that
segment Identifies all tract operators and use of land as of June 1 Ag Tracts Non-Ag Tracts PIGA Land Tracts
PRE-SCREENING/SCREENING • How do you find out who the owners or operators of these tracts are? – Old segments (or previously enumerated segments) will have all of the names and addresses listed in the corresponding screening questionnaire. – New segments will need to be pre-screened to find the possible owners or operators.
PRE-SCREENING • The purpose of pre-screening: – Identify segment boundaries, segment layout, nonagricultural areas within the segment, and the names and addresses of possible contacts.
• Usually reserved for new segments rotating into data collection. • Ask screening questions of operators based on their total acres operated
• Done prior to the official data collection period – So NO interviews should be conducted at that time.
PRE-SCREENING • By providing additional time to complete the screening process before data collection begins, prescreening… – provides enumerators sufficient time to be thorough in identifying the correct operators for the segment. – gives enumerators a head start – the activities that take place during prescreening would otherwise have to take place during the short data collection window. – ensures operations identified and data collected during June are as accurate as possible. This is especially important because these data are used as a baseline for other surveys and remain in the system a full year.
PRE-SCREENING Goals • For new segments and some established segments – Discover operating arrangements and draw tract boundaries within new segments – Obtain names, addresses, and phone numbers of operators for re-contact during the data collection period – Ask screening questions of operators based on their total acres operated – Take notes on any observed livestock and crops, landmarks, and natural boundaries in case you are unable to contact the operator on your return visit
How to PRE-SCREEN • Stop and talk to people to find out who are the owners or operators • Identify all possible operators by using supplemental data sources: – FSA data, plat maps, Internet searches, etc
• Tentatively complete the Area Screening questionnaire • Determine if tract operators need to complete an Area Tract questionnaire – BUT do not complete the questionnaire until the survey start date
• Use the ½ Acre Screening Rule for residential areas
How to PRE-SCREEN • FSA names and addresses – Based on current records maintained by FSA – You are provided with all known names/operations associated with the FSA farm number – Be sure to verify spellings, addresses and phone numbers
How to PRE-SCREEN Tools • • • •
Driving around the segment FSA maps and listings (provided if available) Internet searches (can use iPads) County Assessor offices
FSA Maps and Listings State County 123
Segment 181004
FSA Maps and Listings
Listing was included with most FSA maps if available
1/2 Acre Rule (IM Page 503) The only scenario which does not require a screening interview
is a tract where the parcel is ½ acre or less and there is no presence of agricultural activity or equine. Tracts like these should be designated Non-Ag, and multiple contiguous tracts like this may be combined into one tract letter. These are often residential areas.
Parcels of any size, including ½ acre or less, which have
agricultural activity or equine present, are Ag Tracts and must have the screening questions and Area Tract questionnaire completed.
All operators of parcels greater than ½ acre in size require a
screening interview to determine if they qualify for an Area Tract questionnaire.
1/2 Acre Rule (IM Page 503) Non-Ag Tracts with ½ acre or less can be combined 3 tracts combined into letter B = .9 Acres
C D
.6 1/2
B
.5
.6
.5
2 more Non-Ag Tracts combined with letter B = 1.9 Acres .3 .3
.3
Anything greater than ½ an acre is a separate letter for Ag or Non Ag.
.4
A
22.0 4.5
SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE • The Area Screening questionnaire is a tract directory used to: – Record complete names and addresses for all tract operators (both Ag and Non-Ag) – Determine if a tract operator qualifies for an Area Tract questionnaire – Verify the number of tract letters listed matches the number of tract letters on the aerial photo – Verify sum of reported acres matches digitized acres
• ‘Old’ Tracts will already be listed • ‘New’ Tracts must be added to the Area Screening questionnaire with complete names and addresses.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE • IF a ‘Yes’ or ‘DK’ is marked on any question 8-16, you must complete an Area Tract questionnaire for this operator because agricultural activity has been determined. – These questions refer to the ENTIRE operation, not just the tract acres.
• For Non-Ag tracts, the interview ends in the Area Screening questionnaire. Thus, questions 8 – 16 are all ‘NO’, and columns 18, 20, and 20a must be completed. Use the decimal point for acreages listed in column 18.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE • PIGA land (Public, Industrial or Grazing Association) is handled differently in some states. – The Area Screening questionnaire has extra columns to handle PIGA land
• Column 7 asks if this tract is Public, Industrial, or Grazing Association land used on an AUM basis. – If ‘YES’: Enter acres in column 21 and conclude the interview
Assigning Tract Letters • Assign letters A, B, C, etc., in order, as you screen the tracts • Do not skip any letters
• Never reuse a letter • If all 26 letters are used, start using double letters: AA, BB, CC, etc.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments Use the same tract letters as last year if the operator is the same. Previously enumerated tract letters can be identified on the label on Page 2 of the Area Screening questionnaire and on the Area Tract questionnaire.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments • If a different person is now operating a tract enumerated last year, cross out the old name and tract letter in the Area Screening questionnaire. • If the new operator is new to the segment, enter the name and address on the next available line in the Area Screening questionnaire and assign the next unused tract letter. Also write the name, address and new tract letter on a blank Area Tract questionnaire. •Erase the old tract letter on the photo and write in the new letter.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments In this example, Bill Riggs sold his land to Bob White. Bob White did not operate land in this segment last year. Do NOT use the same tract letter but assign a new tract letter to Bob White.
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments BILL RIGGS 456 COUNTY RD 34 Agtown, US 54321
160000 99
2156
1 6 0000
B
160000
Agland 99
02
Previous Operator
2156
160000
Bob White 1320 Anywhere Drive
Anytown
555
XX
22130
E
Agland
05
New Operator
550 - 7788
New Operator gets NEW Tract Letter and Questionnaire
Assigning Tract Letters – Old Segments
X through former operator
Now Tract E
Assign next unused tract letter
New Ag Tracts and Non-Ag Tracts • For Ag Tracts, write the complete name/address ON a blank Area Tract questionnaire. – Also, write the name/address in the Area Screening questionnaire.
• For Non-Ag Tracts, write the complete name/address IN the Area Screening questionnaire.
Things to remember • DON’T FORGET: You must account for all land inside the red segment boundaries for all segments.
• All land inside the segment must belong to an Ag Tract or a Non-Ag Tract. • Be sure you have completed the entire segment by verifying the number of tracts completed and acreages on the back page of the Area Screening questionnaire.
Conducting a Screening Interview • Area Screening Questionnaire • When to fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire
• Coding Column 20a
Area Screening Questionnaire
99
1855
1
183095
1
Fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire if... On the total acres operated there has been or will be,
this year… Any crops, hay, livestock, poultry, or aquaculture
produced Any agricultural products or receive government payments On the total acres operated there are any crops in
storage now or will be before June 1 of next year The operator owned or raised any hogs or pigs in the past 12 months, or if he or she expects to this year
Fill out an Area Tract Questionnaire if... On the total acres operated there were horses,
ponies, or any other equine, regardless of ownership The operation grew any vegetables, melons, fruit, nuts, or berries (Excluding home use) The operation grew any nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, sod, cut Christmas trees, or other woody crops (Excluding home use) On the total acres operated there was any idle cropland or more than 99 acres of permanent pasture
Accounting for NON-AG Tracts • If columns 8 - 16 are all checked “No,” continue with column 18. • NON-AG Tracts must have columns 18, 20, and 20a completed • Column 18 - Non-Agricultural Land Use Acres • Column 20 - Observed Agricultural Potential • Column 20a – Type of Non-Agricultural Land
Coding Column 20a Used for best describing Non-AG Tracts Available codes are provided on a green half-sheet
card in your workshop folder Can also be found in the IM – Page 530
Guidelines Data collection begins May 25th Project Code 124 – specific to data collection Use all normal screening processes including asking
the screening questions for the total acres operated
th 25
It’s May Time to start interviewing the operators in our segment!
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
A
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Area Tract Questionnaire • Face Page • Section A
• Section C • Section D
Area Tract Questionnaire • When do you complete an Area Tract questionnaire? – For each tract operator who qualifies as a possible farm operator • Any screening question (Column 8-16) = Yes or DK – – – – –
All agricultural producers Sell ag products or receive gov't payments Crops stored now or before June 1 of next year Has livestock Has idle cropland or more than 99 acres of pasture
Face Page for a Returning Area Tract Make any corrections necessary Name Address Phone Numbers
Make certain that all information is recorded
accurately Spelling Suffices (Sr., Jr., etc.) Numbers (Remember: New operator = new tract letter)
Face Page for a Returning Area Tract Barcode – NEVER write over this
Segment # Phone Number
99 000164506 01 00 002761 0000147396 0 SEQ048-9410
Tract #
99 2156 164506 01 STR 3 55 30 40 48100555555
A
164506 2156
TRACT A ACRE 1000.0 OPDOM 00 96 311 999 888 LID 450002010
Tract Acres
5551234567 IMA FARMER 456 COUNTY RD 34 Agtown, US 54321
99
Tract Letter
164506
01
Agland
Face Page for New Tracts For new
questionnaires, please don’t write in this space After all forms
have been processed in Austin, there will be a barcode attached in this space
If this space starts out BLANK leave this space BLANK
Face Page for New Tracts Record information
for the new tract below the line in the boxes provided 183095 99
1855
A 183095
Ag Super Farms
Ima Farmer 100 FM 20 Agland 555
US 555-5717
54321
01
Agland
Section A – Operation Description Identifies operating arrangement Individual Partnership Hired Manager
Determines the operator Identifies any partners Name Address Phone Numbers
Section A - Operation Description • How does NASS define the OPERATOR? – Person who makes most of the day-to-day decisions
• What if partners share equally? – Then the oldest is considered the operator
Section A - Operation Description • Managed operations must have an Operation Name! • Only one operating arrangement per Area Tract questionnaire!
Section C – Sections to be Completed (IM 605-607)
Purpose: To determine if additional questions for the
entire operation are required. We ask these questions for operators who may not be represented in our list sample Determination made by following the simple question flow in items 1 through 5 Saves time when entire farm information is not needed Ensures questions are asked when entire farm information is needed On some returning Ag Tracts the CROPS-STOCKS and CATTLE box will already be checked
Section C – Sections to be Completed
• Remember to follow the enumerator instructions very carefully
Section D - Crops and Land Use on Tract Section D collects detailed information on ALL
ACREAGE inside the BLUE TRACT boundary Fields and land use examples:
Farmstead Crops Pasture Idle Cropland Wasteland Woodland Multiple uses in same field
Field Boundaries and Numbers • After the blue tract boundaries are drawn off, draw off the field boundaries within the tract • Be sure to switch from blue to red pen before drawing field boundaries • Number the fields with red pen • Current field boundaries may differ from those appearing on the photo – Boundaries may have changed since the photo was taken.
Fields • A field is a continuous area of land devoted to one crop or land use • Field boundaries are drawn off in RED pen • Fields are numbered in RED pen
If the operator lives inside the segment, Field 1 must be the farmstead. If the operator lives outside the segment, Field 1 will be the most accessible or easiest field to identify on the aerial photo.
Fields • Minimum field size is one-tenth of an acre (0.1) • All acreage entries to be recorded to the tenth of an acre (Example: 20 ½ acres = 20.5) • Areas of idle land, woodland, and wasteland greater than 5.0 acres should be drawn off as separate fields. • Areas less than 5.0 acres of trees, brush, marsh etc. within a crop field can be recorded as waste within that field. • If operation has more than 9 fields in the tract, use the Section D supplement sheet.
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1 N
A
1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
The first field is the farmstead Fields are drawn off – as one continuous area devoted to one crop or land use. This is the only combination allowed when you have a farmstead You can not combine other uses such as pasture, woodland or crops.
Can include pens, buildings & other structures. Other occupied dwelling should be drawn off as separate tract letter.
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 2 – 83 acres of irrigated corn for grain
N
2
1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 2 – 83 acres of irrigated corn for grain
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 3 – 50 acres of upland cotton
N
2 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 3 – 50 acres of upland cotton
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 4 – 112 acres of wheat (grazed) followed by irrigated soybeans to be planted
N
2
4 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
Field 4 – 112 acres of wheat (grazed) followed by irrigated soybeans to be planted
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 5 – 95 acres of haygrazer for hay – 2 acres of waste
N
2
4 A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
5
Field 5 – 95 acres of haygrazer for hay – 2 acres of waste
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 6 – 120 acre field with 2X1 upland cotton
N
2
4 5
A
3 1 Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
6
Field 6 – 120 acre field with 2X1 upland cotton
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 7 – 8 acres of irrigated pecans
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
6
Field 7 – 8 acres of irrigated pecans
Line 81 – Other Crops • Record acreage of any crops not pre-printed on a line in the table. • Oklahoma has Item Code 848 pre-printed on the questionnaire.
• Texas has blank Item codes that will be entered by the regional field office
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 8 – 19 acres of CRP
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 6
Field 8 – 19 acres of CRP
Agtown, US 183095 1 OF 1
Field 9 – 34 acres of permanent pasture
N
2
4 5
A
3
7 1
Agtown, US 183095 Total Seg Acres 690 JAS YEAR SCALE = 8” PER MILE
8 9
6
Field 9 – 34 acres of permanent pasture
• Review your work to make sure all FIELD acres in the BLUE tract boundary are accurate and accounted for. Check Addition for Total Tract Acres
TOTAL TRACT ACRES (Item code 840) • Add the acreage listed on line 1 for each field and enter the total in box 840.
TOTAL TRACT ACRES (Item code 840) • If box 840 differs from the figure in the box at the top of page 4, check with the respondent for errors and correct as necessary: – Did they include all waste acres? – Did you or the respondent miss a field? – Did you mis-record acres in a field?
Section D – Crops and Land Use on Tract
• Question 82 – Tract Cropland with Irrigation Potential – All cropland acres with irrigation equipment should be recorded • Even if not used this year.
SECTION D CROPS AND LAND USE ON TRACT • Section D must be completed for every Area Tract questionnaire!!! • For Refusals and Inaccessibles you will still need to draw the fields off, number the fields and complete Section D to the best of your ability. • Use your grid to determine field acreages • Observe what is in the fields or what may be planted.
SECTION D CROPS AND LAND USE ON TRACT • Be sure all fields are drawn off and numbered in each tract. • Be sure the land use is written in Section D for each field and the acreage is correct.
Section D Cheat Sheet
Section D Exercise
Section E – Total Acres Operated and Land Use Shifts focus of interview from tract to entire operation Identifies total acres in operation Owned, rented to others, and rented from others Cropland, conservation programs (CRP or WRP) Cash rent Specific crop acreages Genetically Modified (GM) crops
Item 1-3 asks for acres owned plus acres rented from others minus acres rented out to others, summing to the total acres operated. Item 4 asks if the operation paid on a per-head or animal unit month (AUM) basis for livestock to graze on any land Item 6 compares total acres operated to tract acres If estimating total acres or getting from a secondhand source, please make a note about your confidence in the accuracy of this number.
Item 7 asks for the number of acres considered to be cropland. Item 8 asks for the number of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) – Item 8 acres cannot be more than item 7
Item 9 asks about acres rented for cash and the cash rent per acre
Item 10 refers to the Crop-Stocks box on page 3. If checked: Continue If NOT checked: Skip to Section G If the box is not checked, then this operation is on our List of Farmers and we do not need to ask all of the questions.
Item 11 asks for the number of acres planted for fruit, berries, and Christmas trees
Item 12 asks the enumerator if any small grains were recorded in Section D. Item 13 asks for the number of acres planted (or to be planted) for the listed crops.
SECTION E.1 GM Crops on Total Acres Operated
• • •
Provides data for state estimates of acreage planted with biotech seed varieties or “genetically modified” (GM) varieties This data gives us a measure of how quickly the use of biotechnology is growing in agriculture NASS publishes corn, soybean and cotton acreage planted with biotech seed varieties, commonly referred to as ‘genetically modified’ (GM) varieties.
For corn and cotton, acres planted with: Stacked gene varieties, Herbicide resistant varieties and Bt only varieties For soybeans acres planted with: A herbicide resistant only variety See IM pages 632-635 for some trade names GM planted acres for each crop must be equal to or less than the number of acres reported in Section E, Item 13
If the respondent planted GM varieties, but doesn’t know or refuses the number of acres Check ‘Yes’ Write ‘DK’ next to the acreage box Code Box 688 = 1
DK
DK
DK DK
1
If the only person that you could track down to get information on the operation was the foreman and he knew all the correct acreages but had no idea if Mr. Farmer had planted any GM acreage, what would you code box 688?
2
Code Box 688 = 2
If questions 12-14 were all answered as NO, what would you code box 688?
3
Code Box 688 = 3
Section F – Grains and Oilseeds in Storage on Entire Operation Collect amount of Total Storage Capacity On total acres operated All structures normally used to store whole grains or
oilseeds Stocks on hand What counts as grain storage capacity? Structures that are normally used to store whole grains or oilseeds on the total acres operated. • Whole grains (Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, Barley, etc) OR • Whole oilseeds (Soybeans, Sunflowers, etc)
Exclude ground storage and structures not normally used to store whole grains or oilseeds. Be sure to exclude any storage at commercial elevators.
Section F – Grains and Oilseeds in Storage on Entire Operation • Account for all whole grains and oilseeds stored June 1 on the total acres operated. • Include: – – – – –
All grains and oilseeds in permanent and temporary storage facilities Any unprocessed whole grains, even those intended for feed or seed Someone else’s grain if stored on this operation All government stored grain located on this operation All stocks from previous year’s production
• Exclude: – Any grain changed from its original form (rolled, cracked, or milled) – Any grains or oilseeds with no economic value such as contaminated or rotted – Any grains or oilseeds stored off farm such as “at the elevator” or “stored in town”
Texas
Pounds instead of bushels for Sorghum
Texas only
Oklahoma
Pounds instead of bushels for Canola
Area Tract Questionnaire • Section G • Section H
• Section I • Section J • Section K • Section L
Observing Livestock for Refusals and Inaccessibles Make a note that the section is “observed” or “estimated” If you have basic knowledge of the operation and can
observe animals, complete all items in the section as if it was a good interview If you are fairly certain of livestock presence, but do not know the operation well and cannot observe the livestock, please make a note of likely herd size, carrying capacity of pastures, type of operation – stocker, cow-calf, etc. Complete as much as possible If you do not think that livestock are present, based on your observation, please make a note and complete the screening questions at the top of the section
ALL LIVESTOCK SECTIONS (G-K) MUST BE COMPLETED OR ESTIMATED
SECTION G
Hogs and Pigs • Collect data on all hogs and pigs – Owned by the operator, regardless of location – Raised by the operator, regardless of location
•
Item 1 screens for the presence of hogs – Both owned by the operation OR – Being raised for someone else •
Follow the routing on the questionnaire
•
Item 2 asks for the total hogs and pigs on the total acres operated
•
Item 3 asks if any of the hogs are owned by someone else. – If YES: • • •
How many? Who owns them? Is the owner a contractor?
•
Item 4 asks how many hogs and pigs this operation owns regardless of location.
•
Item 5 asks if any of the Item 4 hogs are located on someone else’s land or hog facility
•
Item 6 asks if the operation has done business under any other business name in the last 12 months. – This helps to avoid possible duplication between our List and Area surveys.
Section G must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION H Total Cattle and Calves • Collect data on all cattle and calves – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
SECTION H Total Cattle and Calves
• Check to see if the CATTLE BOX was checked on Page 3
• Remember to follow the enumerator instructions very carefully
Check Math
Check Math
SECTION I Sheep and Lambs • Collect data on all sheep and lambs – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
Section I must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION J Goats and Kids • Collect data on all goats and kids – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership – Report based on utilization regardless of breed
Section J must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION K Equine • Collect data on all horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, or burros – On total acres operated – Regardless of ownership
Section K must be completed for every agricultural tract.
SECTION L Other Agricultural Information • Collect data on agricultural labor
– MUST be paid workers
Area Tract Questionnaire • Section M • Section N
• Section O • Section P • Section R
SECTION M Land Values • The information collected in this section is used to prepare estimates of average state-level farmland values. • Tract Acres – Value per acre of land inside the BLUE tract boundaries
• Entire Farm – Total value of land and buildings on the entire operation
• If the operator refuses this section, it should be left blank – Enumerators should not estimate land values
Be sure to check the boxes for land types that were reported in Section D. If reported in Section D, there should be a value for each corresponding land type.
Section M - Land Values should NOT be estimated
Section N Economic Data on Entire Operation • Classify the operation based on… – value of sales during the PREVIOUS YEAR, or – farm points
• Farm points when sales are under $1,000 (Code 99 or 1) • Categorize operation based on largest portion of gross income
• Check the box next to the value range that most represents the operation’s gross value of sales. • Follow Enumerator Action instructions after coding box 860
Section N – Point Recording Sheet •
ONLY enter data on this sheet for tract operators who had less than $1,000 in sales or government payments during the PREVIOUS year
IF YES, • List all CURRENT year agricultural activity on the total acres operated • Enter names for other crops not listed on the point sheet on the blank lines provided. • Record all acreage to the nearest tenth of an acre. – One decimal place
•
Do not include the farmstead on the point recording sheet
95 0
DO NOT include Farmstead
2 0 1 0
Farmstead 500
34 0
83 0
170 0
2 0
8 0
112 0
Section N – Type of Farm • Based on the gross value of sales, select the category that the largest portion of the gross value of sales came from. – If the respondent reports that their sales are split ≈ 50/50, ask which group is more important and is the primary production activity.
• If there were NO sales during the previous year, select the category that best describes the farm type.
• Don’t forget to enter the code in box 862
Section P Operator Characteristics • All questions in this section must be asked of the respondent • You may determine from observation only after the respondent refuses one of these questions and you have completed the interview (i.e., do not estimate in front of the respondent) • Items in Section P can only be left blank if the entire questionnaire is coded a refusal or inaccessible
Section P can only be left blank if the entire questionnaire is coded a refusal or inaccessible.
Section R - Conclusion 3 Please write notes explaining any unusual circumstances/ conditions or notes about the validity of questionable data.
Be sure to fill out the bottom of the back page 06
Can only code as Complete, Estimated Refusal, or Estimated Inaccessible
01
18
Finishing the Area Tract: Optimizing Data Quality • Coding the Response Box • Estimating
• Partial Segment Submission • What Happens After Forms are Submitted to Austin? • Comments • Handwriting and Legibility • Summary
Coding the Response Code Box (9901) When can it be considered a “1” (Complete)?
You interviewed the operator You interviewed the operator’s spouse You interviewed a partner You interviewed the bookkeeper Special circumstances – if you talk to the son or daughter, or other person who is very close with the operation
“Complete” reports require firsthand information If you code the Respondent code box as “9” (Other),
we want to know who you interviewed
Coding the Response Code Box (9901) When should you use a “5” (Refusal-Estimated) or a
“6” (Inaccessible-Estimated)? You talked to someone at USDA’s Farm Service Agency
You talked to a neighbor You estimated by observation The firsthand source only answered a small part of the
Area Tract questionnaire Any time you use information from a source that is not close with the operator/operation (secondhand)
Why Correct Coding is Important Forms labeled as “5” or “6” (Estimated) get reviewed
by more experienced staff who have access to tools that may help fine tune your estimates It protects the credibility of the data collected during the June Area Survey
Estimating Refusals and Inaccessibles Prioritize! Absolutely must: Complete, correct, legible name and address for every tract Section D – your observation as to what is inside the tract High priority: Anything you can estimate by observation or inference. Examples: Cattle on operation and maybe estimation of amount or rate Grain storage facilities and capacities Type of land and/or operation (cropland/pasture) Estimated size of operation or economic category
Estimation procedures also apply to item and/or section
refusals
Complete refused items and/or sections with any possible
observational data after you leave the respondent Make notes as needed
Partial Segment Submission • Get completed and estimated questionnaires to your supervisors as soon as possible so they can send them to Austin. • Refusals ESPECIALLY need to get to Austin earlier, as the amount of time those take to process is usually double or more than that of a complete questionnaire. • We have provided your supervisors with next day and Saturday UPS delivery labels to help them meet our benchmarks
• PLEASE DO NOT HOLD QUESTIONNAIRES
What happens after questionnaires are submitted to Austin? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
After opening UPS packages, questionnaires are sorted and checked-in Screening questionnaires are edited and decisions are made as to whether questionnaires have name and address updates Name and address updates are made Questionnaires are edited by hand, and estimations are made/verified for refusals and inaccessibles using available tools and historical data Questionnaires are keyed by data entry staff Questionnaires are edited in a computer-based edit system Area Tract questionnaires get merged into the proper segment for accounting and reference The data are run through yet another computer-based edit Data are analyzed for outliers State estimates are determined and submitted to D.C. for approval D.C. addresses any concerns with the data, finalizes numbers, and releases the June 29th Acreage report publication
What happens after questionnaires are submitted to Austin?
Writing Comments Any time you can give us an indication of the source of
an estimated value and/or your confidence in it, it helps us to know how accurate it is. This is particularly important in: Section E – Total acres operated (include acres both
inside and outside the tract) Section E.1 and F – Completion codes Sections G-K – Livestock sections Section R – Response code box
Enumerator Notes
Handwriting and Legibility Clear Handwriting Makes Clear Meaning Please write clearly! Even if you are rushed and/or writing on the hood of
your car, please take the time later to make sure the information can be easily interpreted. This goes for both the Area Screening and the Area Tract questionnaires When someone gives you their name and contact information, try to confirm the correct spelling
Why is Legibility so Important? Next year’s Screening questionnaire will have the name
and address information you write preprinted on it NOL (not-on-list) Determination – the more info you collect that is accurate and clearly written, the better we can determine if this operation is already on our list frame This greatly impacts the output of the survey, and the effects
of this determination last at least one full year
NOL (not-on-list) Sampling – ARMS, Quarterly Ag Survey,
Cattle, Sheep and Goats, Hogs, and more
It is very important when mailing forms (something we do
with some surveys) to have the correct contact information Do you open mail if your name is wrong or misspelled? Other projects use Area Frame information
Summary You
Attend trainings Find the segment Locate the tract operators Brave the heat, wind, hail, dogs, etc. Gain cooperation from respondents Collect the data Verify data are written correctly Ensure all land and tracts are accounted for STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR Complete all of this in less than two weeks each year
Summary Keep these five items in mind to make sure that all of
your hard work goes to the best possible use Code the response code box on the back correctly
Estimate for refusals and inaccessibles Submit work as soon as it is completed Write clear and important comments in places they will
be seen Write everything legibly
Finishing the Segment
We have finished our first interview! Time to go back to our Area Screening questionnaire and see who we need to interview next
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE – Back Page
SCREENING QUESTIONNARE – Back Page • Items 1 and 2 are used to verify that the number of tract letters listed on the photo match the number of tracts listed in the Area Screening questionnaire. • Then verify that the number of Ag Tracts, Non-Ag Tracts, and PIGA Tracts equal the total tract letters listed in items 1 and 2.
SCREENING QUESTIONNARE – Back Page • Copy acreage for each Ag Tract, Non-Ag Tract, and PIGA Land Tract to the back of the Area Screening questionnaire by using the worksheet or comment lines
SCREENING QUESTIONNARIE – Back Page
• Reported Acres – Add up all acres (ag and non-ag) from the Segment. • Must be within 5% of pre-printed Digitized Acres, we really should not be off at all Reported acreage limits for this example: Min: 656 Max: 725 06 - 01 - 18
CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED A JUNE AREA SEGMENT!!
United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Southern Plains Regional Field Office
Administrative Notes
191
Due Dates
192
Due Dates • Prescreening has begun, dates are May 1 – May 24, it will continue until Data Collection • Most enumerators are working both Wheat OY and June Area, pay close attention to due dates • In some areas, you may need to complete the final Wheat OY Pre-harvest visit or the Gleaning during the June Area time, stay in touch with operators 193
Due Dates • Supervisors will collect the June Area tract questionnaires, screening forms and photos • Some supervisor territories will have an assistant supervisor to help with these duties • Stay in touch with your supervisor!! • Tract Questionnaires need to be sent to Austin as completed, DO NOT HOLD QUESTIONNAIRES 194
More Due Dates • June Area is completed on paper • Non-matched surveys due June 11 by noon • All List surveys are to be completed in CAPI/MOST within 24 • Complete matched surveys even if not in the segment 195
Other Surveys, Match and Non-Match • • • • •
June APS (a.k.a. June List, Crop/Stocks, Ag Survey) June Hogs ARMS I Ag Yield Wheat Objective Yield
196
IPAD News • Approved to Update iPads to 11.3 • Updates require wireless internet (Wifi) and a fully charged iPAD or plug in • Updates will continue on a regular basis • It is important to wait until we give the “Okay” to run the updates • Once the “Okay” is given, run the update as soon as possible • Find a place locally (library, McDonald’s) where wifi is available free of charge • Watch for Announcements on MOST, some items may affect data collection 197
Timesheet Time and Hours • Document time and mileage daily. – No longer have to show a break • Double check for project codes on all mileage, cell phone charges, and other expenses, soon the system will require a project code • During May and June, most enumerators will work on June Area (124), Wheat (101), June List (Ag Survey) (123), and others • It is important to separate time among all the project codes 198
Timesheet Comments • Do not put any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in timesheet comments • City information is fine and should be included along with which surveys are worked • Names, addresses, etc. should not be in timesheet comments • NASDA personnel and system programmers are not authorized to view operator PII 199
What New with iSolved • Employee Messages – these will come as needed for items such as Driver’s License Number and Confidentiality • Performance Reviews – Supervisors will now complete Survey and Annual Reviews in iSolved • When completed, enumerators will View and Acknowledge the Reviews in iSolved 200
201
202
iSolved|Go App • iSoved Go App for Apple and Android phones Check Paystub Check W2 Verify Timesheet View Timesheet Does not require a verification code Supervisors have a copy of instructions 203
Downloading iSolved | Go from Google Play/Apple Store 1. On your Android/Apple smart phone, open the application store and use the search term “iSolved” to find the application 2. Select the option to install this application
204
1.
Enabling iSolved Access with iSolved | Go Select the icon in the bottom left portion of the login screen.
2.
On the Network Partner tab, enter the following into the Network Partner ID field: payrollnetwork
3.
Click the Save button to save the configuration. This should only need to be configured the first time.
205
Logging into the iSolved | Go Application 1. Enter your iSolved user name in the User Name field. This is always your email address. 2. Enter your iSolved password in the Password field. 3. Click on the Login button to log into the application. •
The user name entered here can be remembered by the application by checking the box next to Remember Me. Only the password will need to be entered to log into the iSolved | Go application.
•
Note: If your phone uses a secured lock screen (with a PIN, pattern or fingerprint) the Password will be remembered as well.
206
Reminders • • • • • • • •
Safety first! Please be a safe and considerate driver As always, survey data and PII are confidential Managing work can be a challenge Stay in contact with your supervisor Report problems and issues early NASDA-NASS website Use all of the resources you have 207
Workshop Participation • • • • • •
Project Code 124 for the entire workshop Enumerators enter time and mileage The Austin office will enter amounts for Meals The Austin office will pay for the hotel rooms Enumerators pay for personal room charges Thank you!
208
