by Todd Wineburner with Claudia Johnson

The 2012 ag census will provide important information to policy makers and industry analysts that will give them a clearer picture of the state of U.S. agriculture. That's according to Glenn Strasburg, the acting deputy director of the Illinois field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Strasburg says the information gathered helps shape decisions that immediately affect agribusiness.

Information gathered in the 2012 ag census will be processed by USDA by 2014. The deadline for participation is February 4th, and the information can be submitted by mail or electronically. For details, visit the ag census website HERE.