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Report statistics accurately at the USDA, please
By John Morris
Director of Communications
Kansas Association of Wheat Growers
Kansas
When the United States Department of Agriculture recently reported that Farm Income for 2004 was at an all time high, it drew attention from many sources; including farm program critics, media and farmers. When the USDA reported that 2004 Farm Income was at a level in excess of $70,000, one Kansas food producer cried 'foul.'
Dan Engler, who farms in the Downs area, said, "When USDA boasted that farm income was at an all-time high, they took in all sources of income, so if you received Social Security, retirement income, drove a truck outside of farming, were a doctor or lawyer who hobby farms; all that income was included." And, Engler continued, "In fact, the USDA and media should have reported average farm income at only $14,201."
Engler commented, "Most producers are unaware how the USDA compiles their information, and would be at least very disappointed, if not outraged, at how it is misreported." Engler said he is much appreciative of assistance he got from Congressman Jerry Moran's staff in locating the detailed information.
The same accuracy argument was made in March, 2005, when Timothy A. Wise, Deputy Director of the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University published a paper identifying six common misuses of data. The Executive Summary to the paper declares, "Farm statistics are regularly quoted in the press and in policy circles, often in misleading ways. This, in turn, can easily lead to mistaken policies." The Summary specifically addresses the income issue when it says, "(One of) Two examples of misleading statistical presentation include the common refrain that farm incomes are now higher than non-farm incomes, so there is little justification for funding farm programs."
The report from the Economic Research Service lists average earnings for farm households from farm activities only at $5,539 in 2001; $3,473 in 2002; $7,649 in 2003; $14,201 in 2004; and forecasts income for 2005 at $12,077. Which prompted Engler to say, "The policy now confronting farmers is quite simple. 'Work full time to feed the nation, and get another full time job to feed your family.'"
Engler is a member of the Board of directors of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.
The Kansas Association of Wheat Growers is a grass-roots organization that represents Kansas Wheat Producers under the common goal of maximizing members' profitability. The Kansas Wheat Commission is a grower-funded, grower-governed Wheat advocacy organization working to increase Wheat producer productivity and profitability through research, education and domestic and international market development. Together, We Are Kansas Wheat!
Date: 9/22/05
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