In an effort to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s data, Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) introduced a bill that would create a commission to “modernize” the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Statistics from NASS are often utilized by groups like agricultural producers, insurance adjusters, commodity traders, federal agencies, and policy makers who are all seeking reliable data to inform products, services, decisions, and outcomes.

“Data provided by the National Agricultural Statistics Service is critical to help producers and stakeholders make informed decisions,” said Rep. Moore. “Establishing a commission to modernize NASS’ function will help the Department of Agriculture improve data reporting, and increase producer response rates, while reducing survey fatigue among producers.”

The Commission to modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service would work to improve reported statistics, increase producer response rates, and reduce survey fatigue among producers by working with Congress, the Executive branch, and
stakeholders.

Moore’s office says the commission would be comprised of of five agency representatives and six representatives appointed by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on a bipartisan basis.

The commission would a report no later than three years after enactment with administrative, regulatory and legislative recommendations to modernize NASS.

The legislation has received a number of endorsements from agricultural groups throughout the country. These groups include: American Farm Bureau Federation, Alabama Farmers Federation, Auburn University College of Agriculture, Farm Credit Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers, and the U.S. Peanut Federation.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.