Agricultural News
USDA to Gather Farm Labor Statistics in October
Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:40:57 CDT
During the second half of October, U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its biannual Agricultural Labor Survey to collect information about hired labor on Oklahoma farms. More than 250 of Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers will receive this survey.
"Farm labor information is very important when it comes to budgets and planning for upcoming growing seasons," said Wilbert Hundl, Jr., Director of the NASS Oklahoma Field Office. "The data that farm operators provide in the Agricultural Labor Survey will help inform policy-makers in Oklahoma who may take up legislation impacting this industry."
USDA and the Department of Labor will use the statistics obtained from the Agricultural Labor Survey to help establish minimum wage rates for agricultural workers, administer farm labor recruitment and placement service programs, and assist legislators in determining labor policies.
The survey asks participants to provide input about farm labor on their operations, including total number of hired farm workers, hours worked, and wage rates paid for the weeks of July 8-14 and October 7-13. For their convenience, survey participants will have the option to respond online. "This is the farmers' chance to help guide farm labor policies, which is why I hope every farmer will take the opportunity and respond to this important survey," said Hundl.
NASS will compile, analyze and publish survey results in the Farm Labor report, to be released on November 15. This and all other NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Oklahoma Field Office at (888) 525-9226.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
