search our site     home > key topics > farm structure, income, & performance   costs of production Under Congressional mandate, USDA is required to develop annual estimates of the costs of producing wheat, feed grains, cotton, and milk. Estimates are also produced for such major crop and livestock commodities as soybeans, rice, cow-calf, and hogs. Cost estimates are required by USDA for use in program adjustments and policy analysis, and the data provide important input for a variety of ERS research in such areas as farm structure and performance, technology adoption, and international competitiveness. Current data series include cost estimates that date back to 1975 for most commodities. related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Ag Chemicals and Production Technology Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) Farm Income and Costs feature Monthly Milk Cost of Production Estimates—Congress included language in USDA's FY 2003 appropriation that strongly urged USDA to make available monthly milk costs of production (COP) in various areas of the United States. To comply with this request, ERS has begun reporting monthly milk COP by State, where sufficient data support a State estimate. Estimates are available starting from January 2003. (6/03) web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov updated: August 7, 2003  Also at ERS... latest publications (all) • Production Costs and Returns for Tobacco in 2002 • Amber Waves, April 2004 • Beyond Environmental Compliance: Stewardship as Good Business latest data products (all) • Crop Production Practices • Farm Financial Management Data Page • Costs and Returns Data resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page

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