The U.S. Census Bureau conducted the Current Industrial Reports from 1904 through 2011 when
they were discontinued for budgetary reasons. Because the reports are important to sound
economic and agricultural policy planning, stakeholders requested that USDA's National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) assume the responsibility for producing five of the
industrial reports. The first of the reports, now called the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports
(CAIR), was produced in 2014, and the fourth and fifth reports were published in October 2015.
Nine surveys are conducted on a periodic basis; some are monthly, and others are quarterly. The
Current Agricultural Industrial Reports cover the following sectors: Flour Milling, Ethanol,
Cotton, and Fats and Oils (Oilseed Crushings and Production, Consumption and Stocks).
In this paper, the process of developing the CAIR survey program is outlined. First, lists of the
facilities within each industry were created. An operation profile was completed for each facility
in each sector to determine production capacity and primary point of contact for reporting. Data
collection was tailored to individual needs. Systems were created for analysis and summary. The
successes and challenges of developing the CAIR survey program are outlined. Steps for
enhancing future reports are discussed.
