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Iowa farmer welcomes producer input in USDA reporting overhaul

An eastern Iowa farmer says he’s encouraged by the USDA’s data modernization effort.

“We actually have farmers that are working on this now. It’s kind of a big deal.”

Lance Lillibridge says improvements to ag data collection have been needed.

“There is total lack of trust in the reporting. In fact, I believe Iowa Corn sent a letter last January that we have no confidence in it.”

At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins rolled out the agency’s proposed data modernization plan which she said aims to build on technological advancements already underway across USDA, including satellite-based crop monitoring, geospatial analysis, cloud-based platforms, improved online reporting tools, and more coordinated use of existing administrative data.

Lillibridge tells Brownfield Secretary Rollins continues to meet with farmers on the issue. He says he was a part of a recent meeting held in Washington, D.C.

“The USDA has to be the gold standard of the world when it comes to agriculture,” he said. “Correct reporting has to be the number one thing on that. It has everything to do with food security and national security. We just have to have good reporting.”

Secretary Rollins told Farm Progress Show attendees the plan aims to expand trust and transparency with farmers by protecting producer privacy, clearly explaining why information is requested and how it’s used, and creating opportunities for producers to provide feedback.