[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 9121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4542]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 36 / Wednesday, February 24, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 9121]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. LS-98-010]


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request an extension of a currently 
approved information collection used to compile and generate the 
Federally Inspected Estimated Daily Slaughter Report for the Livestock 
and Grain Market News Program.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 26, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Jimmy A. Beard; Assistant to the Chief; Livestock and Grain 
Market News Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS-USDA, Room 2619 
South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jimmy A. Beard, (202) 720-1050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Plan for Estimating Daily Livestock Slaughter Under Federal 
Inspection.
    OMB Number: 0581-0050.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 05-31-99.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, et 
seq) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination of 
marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    Under this market news program, USDA issues a market news report 
estimating daily livestock slaughter under federal inspection. This 
report is compiled on a voluntary basis, in cooperation with the 
livestock and meat industry. The information provided by respondents 
initiates market news reporting, which must be timely, accurate, 
unbiased, and continuous if it is to be useful to the industry. The 
daily livestock slaughter estimates are provided at the request of 
industry and are used to make production and marketing decisions.
    The Daily Estimated Livestock Slaughter Under Federal Inspection 
Report is used by a wide range of industry contacts, including packers, 
processors, producers, brokers, and retailers of meat and meat 
products. The livestock and meat industry requested that USDA issue 
slaughter estimates (daily and weekly), by species, for cattle, calves, 
hogs, and sheep in order to assist them in making immediate production 
and marketing decisions and as a guide to the volume of meat in the 
marketing channel. The information requested from respondents includes 
their estimation of the current day's slaughter at their plant(s) and 
the actual slaughter for the previous day.
    The industry uses the slaughter information for assistance in 
making marketing and production decisions. Also, since the Government 
is a large purchaser of meat, the reporting and use of this data is 
helpful.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated at .011 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, individuals or 
households, farms, Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 82.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 820.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 740 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the methodology and 
assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments may be sent to: Jimmy A. Beard, Assistant to the Chief, 
Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, 
AMS-USDA, Room 2619 South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 
20090-6456.
    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, and will be made available at the address above, during 
regular business hours.

    Dated: February 17, 1999.
John E. Van Dyke,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Livestock and Seed Program.
[FR Doc. 99-4542 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-D