[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 16750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9461]



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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 75 / Wednesday, April 17, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 16750]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise Three Currently Approved 
Information Collections

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 
CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to combine 
three currently approved information collections: the Pesticide Data/
Water Quality Program, the Farm Costs and Returns Survey, and the 
Sugarcane Processors Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 21, 1996 to be 
assured for consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:
Contact Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural 
Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Agricultural Resource Management Study.
    OMB Number: 0535-0218.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1996.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend, revise and merge three currently 
approved information collections.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Resource Management Study is a joint 
effort between the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the 
Economic Research Service. A primary objective of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service is to collect data on farm pesticide 
usage, commodity production practices and costs, and whole farm 
economics. A primary objective of the Economic Research Service is to 
provide analyses of these collected data. These data are collected 
under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data 
collected under this authority are governed by Section 1770 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford 
strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents.
    The Pesticide Data/Water Quality Program (0535-0218) collects basic 
pesticide statistics in order to prepare and issue current State and 
national estimates. Statistics are published on acres treated, rate of 
application, number of applications, and total amount applied per crop 
year by active ingredient for vegetables, fruits, and field crops. The 
Economic Research Service utilizes reported pest management practices, 
production characteristics, and expenses to evaluate the economic 
health and measure the adoption of production practices. Other Federal 
agencies use the aggregate data in their assessment of environmental 
issues. This statistical information is used by producers, chemical 
manufacturers and suppliers, processors, and others in the 
environmental arena as a basis for ensuring a safe food and water 
supply. Government agencies use these estimates to evaluate chemical 
use and production decisions.
    The Farm Costs and Returns Survey (0535-0125) determines the 
financial situation of farm businesses and farm operator households, 
including measurements of net farm income, farm production 
expenditures, and farm assets and debt; relates farm operator 
management strategies to the financial situation of the business; and 
estimates costs of production for individual crop and livestock 
commodities. The Sugarcane Processors Survey (0536-0008), formerly 
conducted by the Economic Research Service, estimates cane sugar costs 
of production. This information is used by Congress, the Department of 
Agriculture, farm organizations, and agricultural business to evaluate 
farm policies. Net farm income estimates are used by the Department of 
Commerce to develop National Income and Product Accounts for the United 
States. The aggregate data are also used to complete a mandated annual 
report to Congress on the status of family farms.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 48,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB 
Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Larry 
Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
14th and Independence Ave., SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2000.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., April 11, 1996.
Donald M. Bay,
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9461 Filed 4-16-96; 8:45 am]
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