[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 84 (Thursday, May 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11252]



[[Page 23754]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent to Merge Two Currently Approved Information 
Collections With a Proposed Information Collection

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 
two currently approved information collections, the June Agricultural 
Survey (0535-0089) and the Agricultural Surveys Program (0535-0213) 
with a new information collection, the Fall Agricultural Survey. The 
new integrated information collection will be called the Agricultural 
Surveys Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 2, 1997 to be 
assured for consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4117 South 
Building, Washington, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Agricultural Surveys Program.
    OMB Number: 0535-0213.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 1999.
    Type of Request: To create a single information collection by 
merging two currently approved information collections and a proposed 
information collection.
    Abstract: The National Agricultural Statistics Service is 
responsible for collecting and issuing state and national estimates of 
crop and livestock production, grain stocks, farm numbers, land values, 
on-farm pesticide usage, and pest crop management practices. The June 
Agricultural Survey collects information on planted acreage for major 
crops, livestock inventories, agricultural land values, and on-farm 
grain stocks. The survey establishes a base for estimating crop 
production and value for the remainder of the crop year. Information 
from this survey is used by farmers, ranchers, private sector 
agribusinesses, government agencies in planning, farm policy analysis, 
and program administration.
    The Agricultural Surveys Program contains a series of surveys that 
obtains basic agricultural data from farmers and ranchers throughout 
the Nation for preparing agricultural estimates and forecasts of crop 
acreages, yield, and production; stocks of grains and soybeans; hog and 
pig numbers; sheep inventory and lamb crop; cattle inventory; and 
cattle on feed. Uses of the statistical information are extensive and 
varied. Producers, farm organizations, agribusinesses, state and 
national farm policy makers, and government agencies are important 
users of these statistics. Agricultural statistics are used to plan and 
administer other related Federal and state programs in such areas as 
consumer protection, conservation, foreign trade, education and 
recreation.
    The Fall Agricultural Survey collects information on fall planted 
crops, livestock inventories, grazing fees, land values, pesticide 
usage, and pest management practices. Producers, farm organizations, 
agribusinesses, state and national policy makers, and government 
agencies are users of the data. The Environmental Protection Agency 
uses the pesticide use information to conduct benefit and risk 
assessments for use during the product registration cycle. USDA uses 
the pesticide and pest management information to build its chemical use 
database, to conduct pesticide benefit assessments, and to assessments, 
and to assess the adoption of integrated pest management practices.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 13 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 565,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 122,000 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, such as 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, 
1400 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 14, 1997.
Donald M. Bay,
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 97-11252 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]
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