The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has announced it is taking several steps to assess the impact of massive rainfall and flooding on the 2008 crop acreage.

NASS will release the 2008 Acreage report on June 30 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. However, NASS collected most of the acreage data during the first two weeks of June, prior to the majority of flooding.

NASS will use standard procedures to estimate planted area. But in an effort to more accurately reflect how much of the planted area will actually be harvested for grain, NASS will re-interview producers during the week of June 23 in affected areas of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. This effort will help gather additional information about producers’ harvesting intentions for corn, soybeans and sorghum.

In addition, because some producers could be difficult to contact or are still assessing their options, NASS will conduct a more extensive survey of planted acres in July in the impacted areas. This information, along with data normally collected from across the country during this time, will be reflected in the Aug. 12 Crop Production report.

More information on USDA’s response and efforts in the Midwest.