U.S. Farming Systems Data Development

Project Director
Kim, C.

Recipient Organization
USDA/ERS
1800 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON,DC 20036

Performing Department
ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE

Non Technical Summary
A linked database on production practices/systems, operator characteristics, and economic data for major U.S. crops, including organic production, will be developed to facilitate economic research on the effect of economic incentives on technology adoption, land use, and input use.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
601	7310	3010	100%

Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
7310 - Experimental design and statistical methods;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;

Goals / Objectives
The short-term objective of this project is to develop tables from ARMS Phase II data for 1996-2000 on pest management and pesticide use, soil management, water management and water use, and nutrient management and nutrient use. The longer-term objective of this project is to build a farming systems database for U.S. crops from ARMS Phase II data and link it to Phase III data.

Project Methods
Previously collected data from the ARMS Phase II and Phase III surveys will be tabulated to develop a farming systems database. In addition, this project will : coordinate the 2002 Phase II design and data collection effort with NASS; integrate data collection for the 2003 FRIS and 2003 ARMS surveys; develop a new set of statistical indicators for certified organic acreage and livestock estimates; examine distributional aspects of potential CSP payments to producers; and contribute to the development of a homeland security database.

Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
This project developed over 450 summary statistical tables from ARMS Phase II data for 1996-2000 on pest management and pesticide use, soil management, water management and water use, and nutrient management and nutrient use. Data summary tables were published on the ERS website and were subsequently incorporated into the ERS online ARMS Extranet data product.

Impacts
While the ARMS estimates are "publishable" under the current USDAs quality validating process, the "reliability" of these estimates requires employing the statistical concepts of both precision and confidence levels of parameter estimates.

Publications

Kim, C., Quinby, W., 2004, "ARMS Data Offer New Perspectives on Cropping Practices", Amber Waves, Vol. 2, Issue 3, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, June, pp.

Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
As of 6/12/03, the USDA procedures on quality validation of the ARMS-Phase II estimates have been reviewed. While the ARMS estimates are "publishable" under the current USDAas quality validating process, the "reliability" of these estimates requires employing the statistical concepts of both precision and confidence levels of parameter estimates.

Impacts
While the ARMS estimates are "publishable" under the current USDAs quality validating process, the "reliability" of these estimates requires employing the statistical concepts of both precision and confidence levels of parameter estimates.

Publications

Kim, C., Daberkow, S., Osteen, C., Aillery, M., Fernandez Cornejo, J., Lyon, L., Gollehon, N., Lindamood, W., Quinby, W., Friend, P., Schaible, G., 2003, ARMS Phase II Crop Production Practice Data, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/cropproductionpractices/ShowTables.asp, December.