[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18279-18280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8611]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Conduct an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the 
intent of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
request approval for an information collection, the Monthly Hog Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 12, 2000, 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, D.C. 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Monthly Hog Survey.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct an 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. Uses of 
this 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 Monthly Hog Survey Program will supplement the Hog Survey 
Program currently conducted as part of the Quarterly Agricultural 
Surveys. The monthly surveys will use a shorter version of the 
quarterly questionnaire and will be conducted eight times a year, 
during the months between the Quarterly Hog Surveys. The sampling frame 
for the monthly program will be hog owners who reported breeding 
females on the December Quarterly Hog Survey.
    NASS was directed to publish on a monthly basis the Hogs and Pigs 
Inventory Report with the passage by Congress and signature of the 
President of H.R. 1906, the FY2000 Department of Agriculture budget. 
The Monthly Hog Report will include estimates of (1) Inventory of 
breeding females, (2) breeding females mated, (3) litters farrowed, (4) 
pigs born alive, (5) average pigs/litter born, and (6) pigs weaned. Hog 
producers supported the provision that NASS publish the Hogs and Pigs 
Inventory Report on a monthly basis. Data users can utilize monthly 
data of breeding females and pig crop to get an indication of hog 
supplies coming to market over the next 6 months.
    These data will be collected under the 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: Experience with similar surveys indicates that 
the questionnaire will require approximately 10 minutes to complete.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,805.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,740 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, 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: Ginny McBride, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-2000. All responses to this notice will become a 
matter of public record and be included in the request for OMB 
approval.


[[Page 18280]]


    Signed at Washington, DC, March 24, 2000.
Rich Allen,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-8611 Filed 4-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-20-P