The deadline for U.S. farmers to turn in ag census forms has been extended to June 1, according to Carol House, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) deputy administrator. The deadline extension from Feb. 4 is because a large number of the census forms have not been returned, she says. “We are sending another form out there again with encouragement to fill it out. We’ll give a little bit of time and then we’re going to start calling people. Of course, calling costs money, taxpayer dollars, so hopefully producers will fill it out before we have to make phone calls.”

Responding to the census, conducted every five years, is required by law and the privacy of answers given is protected. If producers aren’t filling out the forms because they have questions, they should call NASS at 888-424-7828, House says. The census also can be submitted online at www.agcensus.usda.gov.

Source: Southeast Farm Press.