USDA has announced the deadline for producers to complete the 2012 Census of Agriculture is being extended. Currently, over 1.4 million census forms have been returned. For those who missed the deadline, USDA is reminding producers that their farm is important and needs to be counted. Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “By participating in this survey, producers help provide a snapshot of the current state of agriculture in our country, which helps policymakers make better decisions about farm safety net programs and policies.” The census, conducted every five years by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, looks at land use and ownership, production practices, expenditures and other factors that affect the way farmers and ranchers do business.