USDA Will Release Nov. WASDE, Crop Production Reports – Farm Policy News

Impact of U.S. Government Shutdown on Agricultural Data and Sustainable Development Goals

Disruption to Agricultural Reporting and Implications for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has confirmed the release of several key agricultural reports in November following a delay caused by a government shutdown. The interruption in the dissemination of this data poses significant challenges to monitoring and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. The delayed reports are critical for assessing food availability and market stability.

• Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE): Scheduled for release on November 14, this report will provide the first official government estimate of U.S. corn and soybean production since September. This data is fundamental to understanding global food supply chains and ensuring the stability required to combat hunger.
• Cattle on Feed Report: The October report was not released, but the November report is scheduled for release on November 21. This data is vital for tracking protein sources within the food system.

The absence of this information creates a data vacuum, hindering the ability of policymakers and organizations to make informed decisions that support food security and sustainable agricultural practices as outlined in SDG 2.

Economic Instability and Challenges to SDG 8 and SDG 12

The shutdown and subsequent data blackout have created significant economic uncertainty within the agricultural sector, impacting progress towards SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Market participants, including producers and traders, depend on a regular flow of government data for strategic planning and risk management.

1. Market Uncertainty: The lack of reports, such as weekly export sales and crop progress, deprives the market of the clarity needed for stable economic activity. This uncertainty directly affects the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, undermining the principles of sustained and inclusive economic growth central to SDG 8.
2. Labor Conditions: Reports from NASS employees on social media indicated that staff were recalled to work on these reports without pay. This situation directly contravenes the principles of decent work and fair compensation promoted by SDG 8.
3. Responsible Production: The WASDE report is a key tool for aligning agricultural production with global demand. Without timely data, it becomes more difficult to manage resources efficiently and promote the sustainable production patterns required to meet the objectives of SDG 12.

Compromised Global Trade Transparency and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The halt in data reporting, particularly the weekly export sales figures, compromises the transparency essential for robust international trade and partnerships, a core component of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The ability to verify international agricultural trade commitments is a critical function that has been impaired.

• Verification of Trade Deals: According to Allen Featherstone of Kansas State University, the lack of USDA verification makes it difficult to confirm reported purchases, such as China’s commitment to buy millions of metric tons of U.S. soybeans.
• Erosion of Trust: Official, reliable data from government sources underpins trust in global markets. The suspension of these reports weakens the mechanisms for accountability and transparency needed for effective global partnerships.
• Data for Development: The incident highlights the critical importance of high-quality, timely, and reliable data, a key target within SDG 17, for the functioning of both national economies and the global partnerships that support sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on the disruption in the release of key agricultural reports, such as the “crop production and world agricultural supply and demand estimates” for corn and soybeans, and the “cattle on feed report.” This data is fundamental to ensuring stable food markets, managing food supplies, and achieving food security, which are central tenets of SDG 2.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The core issue discussed is the failure of a government institution, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), to perform its duties due to a government shutdown. The article highlights how the furloughing of staff and the inability to release timely data represent a breakdown in institutional effectiveness and transparency, which directly relates to the goal of building “effective, accountable and transparent institutions.”
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article discusses the impact of the data blackout on international trade, specifically the difficulty in verifying agricultural trade commitments between the U.S. and China. The lack of “official data from USDA” makes it challenging to track purchases and confirm trade agreements, undermining the data-driven monitoring required for stable global partnerships and trade.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.c: Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information…
   • This target is directly addressed. The article states that the shutdown “has silenced the regular flow of government data that producers, analysts and traders depend on.” An expert is quoted saying the lack of weekly export sales reports is a “real problem because we rely on that information to confirm what’s actually happening in the market.” This demonstrates a failure to facilitate timely access to market information, which is crucial for the proper functioning of food commodity markets.
2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The inability of NASS to release its scheduled October reports due to the government shutdown is a clear example of an institution failing to be effective. The article notes that “it was unclear if it would be released since the government has remained largely shuttered since October 1,” showing a lack of institutional reliability and accountability to the stakeholders who depend on its data.
3. Target 17.18: …increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data…
   • The entire article revolves around the lack of timely and reliable data. The problem is explicitly stated: “Tracking purchases becomes challenging when the normal reporting mechanisms are down.” The absence of USDA verification for soybean sales to China underscores the critical need for reliable, official data to support international economic activity, a key aspect of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Target 2.c (Access to Market Information)
   • World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report: The article explicitly mentions the delay and eventual release of this report as a key event. Its timely publication is a direct indicator of access to market information.
   • Weekly export sales reports: The suspension of these reports is highlighted as a major problem for tracking market activity. Their regular and timely release would be a primary indicator of progress.
   • Crop production estimates: The article notes the importance of the government’s estimate of U.S. corn and soybean production. The availability of this data is a measurable indicator.
   • Cattle on Feed updates: The failure to release the October report is mentioned. The consistent publication of this report is another indicator.
2. Indicators for Target 16.6 (Effective Institutions)
   • Publication schedule adherence: The primary indicator is whether NASS releases its key agricultural reports on schedule. The article notes the October reports were not issued, and the November report was rescheduled, indicating a failure of the institution to function effectively.
3. Indicators for Target 17.18 (Availability of Reliable Data)
   • Official verification of trade data: The article implies this as an indicator when it states, “the lack of USDA verification makes it difficult to gauge the truth and confirm those buys are happening.” The ability of the USDA to officially confirm and report on “flash sales” and international purchases (e.g., the “12 million metric tons of American soybeans” to China) is a direct measure of the availability of reliable data.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: farmpolicynews.illinois.edu