USDA Economics Statistics USDA Economics Statistics and Market Information and Market Information

SystemSystem

AgenciesAgencies

• American Agricultural Service (AMS)American Agricultural Service (AMS)• Economic Research Service (ERS)Economic Research Service (ERS)• National Agricultural Statistical Service National Agricultural Statistical Service

(NASS)(NASS)• World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)

• Foreign Agricultural Service? (FAS) 2005-Foreign Agricultural Service? (FAS) 2005-20062006

HistoryHistory• 1993 gopher/ftp server (ERS) USDA Economics 1993 gopher/ftp server (ERS) USDA Economics

SystemSystem• 1995 World Wide Web (NASS and WAOB Join) 1995 World Wide Web (NASS and WAOB Join)

Became the USDA Economics and Statistics SystemBecame the USDA Economics and Statistics System• 1999 Highest Distinction, Secretary of Agriculture 1999 Highest Distinction, Secretary of Agriculture

Honor AwardHonor Award• 1999 National Association of Colleges and 1999 National Association of Colleges and

University Business Officers AwardUniversity Business Officers Award• 2003 New e-mail Service (AMS) Became the USDA 2003 New e-mail Service (AMS) Became the USDA

Economics Statistics and Market Information Economics Statistics and Market Information SystemSystem

• 2004 - NASS Historical Reports Scanning2004 - NASS Historical Reports Scanning• 2004 – Redesign Effort2004 – Redesign Effort

UseUse

• AMS Reports – Over 600,000 Sent in AMS Reports – Over 600,000 Sent in JulyJuly

• Other Data and Reports – about 3 Other Data and Reports – about 3 Million Downloaded or Sent Per YearMillion Downloaded or Sent Per Year

• Generates the Second Largest Generates the Second Largest Amount of Traffic at CornellAmount of Traffic at Cornell

• Support: Mann ReferenceSupport: Mann Reference

TimelinessTimeliness

• Files ftp’d to Mann – 5-10 Minute Files ftp’d to Mann – 5-10 Minute Turn Around TimeTurn Around Time

• NASS and WAOB Precise Release NASS and WAOB Precise Release TimesTimes

• LockdownLockdown

New Additions: AMSNew Additions: AMS

• AMS 1500 TitlesAMS 1500 Titles• E-mail OnlyE-mail Only• Sent out AutomaticallySent out Automatically• More Secure Sign-upMore Secure Sign-up• From 6 Branches of the AMS (Cotton, From 6 Branches of the AMS (Cotton,

dairy, Fruit & vegetable, Livestock & dairy, Fruit & vegetable, Livestock & Seed, Tobacco)Seed, Tobacco)

New Additions: NASS New Additions: NASS ScanningScanning

• Reports Go Back to the 19Reports Go Back to the 19thth CenturyCentury

• Scanned in BatchesScanned in Batches• Filed at NASS by Year Rather than Filed at NASS by Year Rather than

TitleTitle• Complex Title and Report ChangesComplex Title and Report Changes

Why Redesign?Why Redesign?• Based on 1995 web designBased on 1995 web design• Manual Upload and htmlManual Upload and html• Indexed but not a databaseIndexed but not a database

• Limited MetadataLimited Metadata• Limited Searching CapabilitiesLimited Searching Capabilities

• Sheer Number of TitlesSheer Number of Titles• Browse Categories Based on ERSBrowse Categories Based on ERS• Two e-mail systemsTwo e-mail systems• Possible Addition of Another AgencyPossible Addition of Another Agency• Manual Calendar EntryManual Calendar Entry• Manual email List DistributionManual email List Distribution• File Relationships are DifficultFile Relationships are Difficult• AMS Not Integrated With the Rest of the SystemAMS Not Integrated With the Rest of the System• Agencies’ Ability to Change Report Titles etc.Agencies’ Ability to Change Report Titles etc.

• ……and moreand more

Metadata ConsiderationsMetadata Considerations

• CalendarCalendar• Report Check InReport Check In• Email NoticesEmail Notices• SearchingSearching• Journal Title ChangesJournal Title Changes• Other IssuesOther Issues

• GeographicalGeographical• CommodityCommodity• Charts and GraphsCharts and Graphs

CalendarCalendar

Broiler Hatchery

Where Does theWhere Does theCalendar Come From?Calendar Come From?

Checking in Reports: The Checking in Reports: The “Tank”“Tank”

Broiler HatcheryBroiler Hatchery

Broiler Hatchery: WebBroiler Hatchery: Web

Emailing the reportEmailing the report

Searching for ReportsSearching for Reports

Metadata Database:Metadata Database:Broiler Hatchery RecordBroiler Hatchery Record

Directory of Metadata FilesDirectory of Metadata Files

Broiler Hatchery Metadata Broiler Hatchery Metadata FileFile

Broiler Hatchery (again)Broiler Hatchery (again)

Related ReportsRelated Reports

Chickens and EggsChickens and Eggs

A Decade of Chickens and A Decade of Chickens and EggsEggs

Older Chickens and EggsOlder Chickens and Eggs

What the…?What the…?

Other IssuesOther Issues

• GeographicalGeographical• CommodityCommodity• Series (USDA Statistical Bulletin)Series (USDA Statistical Bulletin)• Charts and GraphsCharts and Graphs

USDA Statistical BulletinUSDA Statistical Bulletin

Broiler Hatchery TableBroiler Hatchery Table