Census of Agriculture 2023

The Census Bureau's National Processing Center captured data through optical scanning. Staff from the National Agricultural Statistics Service on site at the National Processing Center provided technical guidance and monitored National Processing Center processing activities. All report forms were immediately checked in. All forms keyed were then scanned and loaded into the Feith file cabinet. The images were available for analytical review of the data as well as for archive purposes. The keying staff evaluated the contents and captured pertinent responses. The images and the captured data were transferred to National Agricultural Statistics Service's centralized network and became available to its analysts on a flow basis in all stages of review. Captured data were processed through a computer formatting program. The program verified that record identifiers were valid and checked the basic integrity of the data fields. Rejected records were referred to analysts for correction. Accepted records were sent to a computer batch edit process. Each execution of the computer batch edit flowed as the data were received from the National Processing Center.

All census records were passed through a complex computer edit that determined whether a reporting operation met the minimum criteria to be counted as a qualifying farm (in-scope). The edit examined each in-scope record for reasonableness and completeness and determined whether to accept the recorded value for each data item or take corrective action. Actions included removing erroneously reported values or replacing an unreasonable value with one consistent with other reported data from similar farms. Analysts used additional information sources, examined the scanned image, and determined an appropriate action. Prior to publication, tabulated totals were reviewed by statisticians to identify inconsistencies and potential coverage problems. Comparisons were made with previous census data, as well as other available data. Counts of all selected data items for various sets of criteria which included, but were not limited to, geographic levels, farm types, and sales levels were reviewed. When necessary, data inconsistencies were resolved. After tabulation and review of the aggregates, a comprehensive disclosure review was conducted. Cell suppression was used to protect the cells that were determined to be sensitive to a disclosure of information.