  Over the last several decades, there has been rapid growth in the number and
scope of agricultural genetics, genomics and breeding (GGB) databases and
resources. The AgBioData Consortium (https://www.agbiodata.org/) currently
represents 44 databases and resources covering model or crop plant and animal
GGB data, ontologies, pathways, genetic variation and breeding platforms
(referred to as 'databases' throughout). One of the goals of the Consortium is
to facilitate FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data
management and the integration of datasets which requires data sharing, along
with structured vocabularies and/or ontologies. Two AgBioData working groups,
focused on Data Sharing and Ontologies, conducted a survey to assess the status
and future needs of the members in those areas. A total of 33 researchers
responded to the survey, representing 37 databases. Results suggest that data
sharing practices by AgBioData databases are in a healthy state, but it is not
clear whether this is true for all metadata and data types across all
databases; and that ontology use has not substantially changed since a similar
survey was conducted in 2017. We recommend 1) providing training for database
personnel in specific data sharing techniques, as well as in ontology use; 2)
further study on what metadata is shared, and how well it is shared among
databases; 3) promoting an understanding of data sharing and ontologies in the
stakeholder community; 4) improving data sharing and ontologies for specific
phenotypic data types and formats; and 5) lowering specific barriers to data
sharing and ontology use, by identifying sustainability solutions, and the
identification, promotion, or development of data standards. Combined, these
improvements are likely to help AgBioData databases increase development
efforts towards improved ontology use, and data sharing via programmatic means.
