USDA has announced a change in publicly available release times for its reports Crop Production, WASDE, Grain Stock, and Prospective Plantings, after reviewing comments received and confirming with other governmental agencies. The release time will be 12 noon, EDT.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) will begin issuing several major USDA statistical reports at noon EDT, beginning in January 2013. The current USDA release time of 8:30 a.m. EDT will remain in effect until January 1, 2013. Also, USDA statistical reports affected by the time change are World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, and Small Grains Summary.
USDA sought public comment on the release times for several major statistical reports in response to changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges. Stakeholders submitted 147 comments through the NASS online response site and via letter and e-mail. “USDA considered all comments and thanks everyone for their thoughtful suggestions,” said USDA Chief Economist Joseph W. Glauber. “The shift to a noon release allows for the greatest liquidity in the markets, provides the greatest access to the reports during working hours in the United States, and continues equal access to data among all parties.”
The 2012 official published schedule for all NASS reports is available here. The World Agricultural Outlook Board report schedule is available here.
