Klobuchar, Shaheen, Colleagues Raise Concerns to USDA on Data Quality

Over 70% of ag producers and retailers are now less confident in USDA reports

WASHINGTON - Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee are leading all 10 Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee in raising concerns to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on the reliability of data reports from USDA. A recent Farm Journal survey found that 73% of ag producers and 78% of ag retailers are less confident in USDA reports than in past years.

"We write to express our concerns regarding the reliability of data reports from the U.S Department of Agriculture," wrote the Senators. "Farmers need reliable USDA data to make critical decisions on what to plant, how to manage risks, and when to market their agricultural products. Given the importance of reliable USDA data to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, it is critical that USDA maintain the quality and integrity of its data."

"In January 2026, USDA revised its harvested corn acreage estimate for the 2025 crop year from its initial June 2025 estimate of 86.8 million acres to 91.3 million acres. While refinements to estimates are expected as a growing season wraps up, such a large increase in these estimates resulted in grain prices dropping more than 5 percent at a time when the farm economy is already strained," the Senators continued. "Issues like this have led to an erosion of trust in USDA data in the agricultural community. A January 2026 Farm Journal survey of farmers, retailers, and economists indicates that 73 percent of farmers and 78 percent of agricultural retailers are less confident in USDA data now than they were in the past."

Along with Klobuchar and Shaheen, the letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Undersecretary Hutchins,

We write to express our concerns regarding the reliability of data reports from the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Farmers need reliable USDA data to make critical decisions on what to plant, how to manage risks, and when to market their agricultural products. Given the importance of reliable USDA data to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, it is critical that USDA maintain the quality and integrity of its data.

In January 2026, USDA revised its harvested corn acreage estimate for the 2025 crop year from its initial June 2025 estimate of 86.8 million acres to 91.3 million acres. While refinements to estimates are expected as a growing season wraps up, such a large increase in these estimates resulted in grain prices dropping more than 5 percent at a time when the farm economy is already strained. In addition, a delayed June 2025 quarterly trade report excluded important qualitative analysis typically included in past reports-USDA has not restored that analysis in any subsequent update.

Issues like this have led to an erosion of trust in USDA data in the agricultural community. A January 2026 Farm Journal survey of farmers, retailers, and economists indicates that 73 percent of farmers and 78 percent of agricultural retailers are less confident in USDA data now than they were in the past.

This erosion of trust in USDA data comes after a loss of over 30 percent of National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) employees and nearly 25 percent of Farm Service Agency (FSA) employees, the agencies responsible for estimating and collecting data of crop acres planted and harvested, in the first half of 2025 alone. USDA's proposed reorganization threatens to worsen the loss of key institutional knowledge and staff capacity. Further, the department has not yet indicated whether it will protect employees at statistical agencies from receiving Schedule Policy/Career designations which could suggest the political control of data products. Such potential designations would undermine the agencies' objective and nonpartisan responsibilities.

We ask that you please describe the steps you are taking within the Research, Education, and Economics mission area to ensure that farmers, ranchers, and producers can rely on the data issued by USDA, including copies of any internal reviews conducted on data reports and data quality. Additionally, please outline how your agencies are working to improve producer survey response rates and supplement responses with any additional data sources.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we look forward to your response.

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