[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 102 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28793-28794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13473]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 20, 1999.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Washington, D.C. 20503 and to 
Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, 
D.C. 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling (202) 720-6746.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not 
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Field Crops Objective Yield.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0088.
    Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics 
Service's (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue current 
official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. 
General authority for these data collection activities is granted under 
U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statute specifies that the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information 
concerning agriculture which he can obtain * * * by the collection of 
statistics * * * and shall distribute them among agriculturists. Data 
collected in this information collection sets yield estimates for 
wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans, and potatoes. The Objective Yield Survey 
provides an unbiased input by utilizing plant counts and other 
measurements during the growing season. This information is one of the 
information sources used in making agricultural policy decisions. NASS 
will collect information using a survey.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on 
sample fields of wheat, corn, cotton, soybean, potatoes, and durum 
wheat. The information will be used to anticipate loan receipts and 
pricing of loan stocks for grains.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 8,100.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 4,013.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0004.
    Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current 
official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. 
Thousands of farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and others voluntarily 
respond to nationwide surveys about crops, livestock, prices, and other 
agricultural activities. Estimates of egg, chicken, and turkey 
production are an integral part of this program. General authority for 
these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, 
Section 2204. This statute specifies that the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which 
he can obtain by the collection of statistics and shall distribute them 
among agriculturists. Information published from the surveys in this 
docket are needed by USDA economists and government policy makers to 
ensure the orderly marketing of broilers, turkeys and eggs.
    Need and Use of the Information: Statistics on these poultry 
products contribute to a comprehensive program of keeping the 
government and poultry industry abreast of anticipated changes. All of 
the poultry reports are used by producers, processors, feed dealers, 
and others in the marketing and supply channels as a basis for their 
production and marketing decisions.
    Description of Respondents: Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 6,883.

[[Page 28794]]

    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly, Monthly, Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 5,421.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: FSP-State Agency Options.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-New.
    Summary of Collection: The Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended by 
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
(PRWORA) establishes a program whereby needy households apply for and 
receive food stamp benefits. It specifies national eligibility 
standards but allows State agencies certain options in administering 
the program. These options relate to establishing a homeless shelter 
deduction; establishing, periodically reviewing, and updating standard 
utility allowances to be used in excess shelter cost computation; and 
establishing a methodology for offsetting costs of producing self-
employment income. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will collect 
information from State agencies on the methods used to calculate these 
deductions and allowances.
    Need and Use of the Information: FNS will collect information from 
State agencies on how the various Food Stamp Program implementation 
options will be determined. The information collected will be used by 
FNS to establish quality control reviews, standards, and self-
employment costs.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 49.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 296.
Nancy B. Sternberg,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-13473 Filed 5-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-01-M