Backgrounder - DRAFT

NASS Programs

2024 September
Grain Stocks Report Survey

About the Survey

How NASS Collects Data

Who Uses the Information

USDA’s National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS) conducts
the Grain Stocks Report survey
quarterly to collect information
on commodities that are stored
off-farm at mills, elevators,
warehouses, ethanol plants,
terminals, and processors.

NASS is conducting the
September Grain Stocks Report
survey nationwide.

All sectors of the agricultural
industry rely on NASS grain
stocks estimates to help make
sound business decisions. For
instance:
• Farmers, livestock producers,
commodity traders, ag
industry analysts, state and
federal policymakers, and
transportation companies are
just a few of the data users
who pay close attention to
the quarterly Grain Stocks
report.

NASS will release the data in the
Grain Stocks report on
September 30, 2024. The survey
data provide information on
stocks of whole grains and
oilseeds stored off-farm.
All current and previous NASS
reports are available online at
nass.usda.gov/Publications. For
more information on this survey,
visit www.nass.usda.gov/go/
GrainStocks.

In late August, NASS mails the
survey to approximately 3,700
grain storage facilities to collect
information about the amount of
grains and oilseeds in storage as
of September 1.
Those who receive the survey
may respond in one of the
following ways:
• Online – Respond at
agcounts.usda.gov. Online
reporting is fast, convenient,
and secure. All that’s needed
is the unique survey code on
the questionnaire to begin.
• By mail or fax – Fill out the
questionnaire and return
it in the prepaid envelope
provided or via fax.
A NASS representative will
contact those who do not
respond to offer the option
of an interview to collect the
information.

• Farmers use carryout
information to make planting
decisions for the upcoming
crop year. Crop consultants
use the data to monitor
supplies to determine the
best times to market grain.
Livestock producers pay
close attention to quarterly
disappearance to determine
upcoming feed availability.

• Policymakers use grain
stocks data to determine the
effectiveness of farm support
programs. Equipment
manufacturers use stocks
data to determine demand
for off-farm storage. Logistics
companies use the data to
anticipate added need for
railcars, trucks, and barges.

www.nass.usda.gov