Estimating the USDA, Economic Research Service Commodity Costs and Returns and the Milk Cost of Production Estimates Data Series

Behind every food product on your table lies a complex system of data, surveys, and calculations. This report from USDA’s Economic Research Service details how the agency estimates costs and returns for major commodities like corn, wheat, dairy, and livestock. With roots going back to the 1973 Farm Bill, the process uses national surveys, economic models, and field-level data to help shape agriculture policy and production decisions. It’s a look at how federal analysts turn farm-level info into insights that affect producers, researchers, and the broader economy.