The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to know how many acres of each type of crop will be planted in Georgia this year.

There have been many variables, officials have said, that affected farm operators’ judgment in deciding what or whether to plant.

Last year’s late freeze destroyed thousands of acres of corn, wiped out fruit crops and stunted other produce.

The blistering drought parched replanted corn, withered soybeans and even hay would not grow.

Both those things were on farmers minds this season, as they considered the likelihood that corn prices would be strong because of the increased demand for use in biofuels, agriculture officials said.

To gather reliable, objective information, the Georgia Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be surveying farmers for the June Agricultural Survey.

There is always speculation about each new crop season, and agricultural producers are the main source for gathering the facts, said Doug Kleweno, director of the Georgia Field Office.

“If we speak up and report the facts about the 2008 crop season, we can help reduce uncertainty in the agricultural marketplace,” he said in a news release from the Georgia Field Office.

“We safeguard the confidentiality of all survey responses,” Mr. Kleweno said. “Information from individual operations is combined with other responses to provide the needed data.”

He said the statistical Service works with farmers and ranchers to provide meaningful, accurate and objective statistics that help keep U.S. agriculture informed.

The information gathered is widely used.

Producers rely on the data to reach valid production, marketing and investment decisions. Industry analysts, extension agents, and farm organizations use the information in a variety of ways that benefit farmers, according to the news release.

The Georgia Field Office is conducting the survey, and a NASS representatives began contacting local producers this month. Surveying will continue until June 16.

Some respondents will be chosen from sampled areas of land identified on aerial photographs, the Georgia Field Office said.

The 2008 Mid-Year Agricultural Survey will provide the first clear indications of the potential production levels for of major commodities in 2008, USDA officials said. Results of the mid-year survey will be released June 30.