[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9121-9122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4543]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. LS-98-011]


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 grain 
related reports for the livestock and grain market news program.

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


[[Page 9122]]


ADDRESSES: Contact 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Grain Market News Reports and 
Molasses Market News Reports.
    OMB Number: 0581-0005.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 5-31-99.
    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 program, USDA issues market news reports on grain and 
molasses. These reports are compiled, on a voluntary basis, in 
cooperation with the grain and feed industry. Market news reporting 
must be timely, accurate, unbiased and continuous if it is to be useful 
to producers, processors, and the trade in general. Industry traders 
can use market news information to make marketing decisions on when and 
where to buy and sell. For example, a producer could compare prices 
being paid at local, terminal, or export elevators to determine which 
location will provide the best return. Some traders might choose to 
chart prices over a period of time in order to determine the most 
advantageous day of the week to buy or sell, or to determine the most 
favorable season. In addition, the reports are used by other Government 
agencies to evaluate market conditions and calculate price levels used 
for their programs. Economists at most major agricultural colleges and 
universities use the grain and feed market news reports to make short 
and long-term market projections. Also, since the Government is a large 
purchaser of grain and related products, the reporting and use of this 
data is helpful.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .014 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, individuals or 
households, farms, Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 52.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 368 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. 99-4543 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P