[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3925-3926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1684]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved 
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 request 
an extension for and revision to a currently approved information 
collection, the Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 1, 1999 to be 
assured of 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 DC 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Field Crops Objective Yield.
    OMB Number: 0535-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 1999.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production. The Field Crops Objective Yield 
Surveys objectively predict yields for wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans, 
and potatoes. Sample fields are randomly selected for these crops. 
Plots and laid out and periodic counts and measurements are taken and 
used to forecast production during the growing season. Production 
forecasts are published in USDA Crop Production reports. An increase in 
the number of plots is planned. The Field Corps Objective Yield Surveys 
has approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that 
the surveys be approved for another 3 years.
    These data will be collected under 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.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 19 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,100.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,200 hours.

[[Page 3926]]

    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Larry Gambell, 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, 
1400 Independence Avenue 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, DC, January 13, 1999.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1684 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]
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