[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 11280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5935]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 11280]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. LS-01-14]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision 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 for grain and molasses market news 
reports.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by May 13, 2002, to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments: Comments may be mailed to Jimmy 
A. Beard; Assistant to the Chief; Livestock and Grain Market News 
Branch, Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0252; 1400 
Independence Avenue SW.; Washington, DC 20250-0252; Phone (202) 720-
8054; Fax (202) 690-3732; or E-mail to [email protected]. All 
comments received will be available for public inspection at this 
address during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 
on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mncs.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Grain Market News Reports and Molasses Market News Reports.
    OMB Number: 0581-0005.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 07-31-2002.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621), 
section 203(g) 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.
    The grain industry has requested that USDA continue to issue market 
news reports on grain and molasses. These reports are compiled by AMS 
in cooperation with the grain and feed industry. Market news reporting 
must be timely, accurate, 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, such 
as USDA's Farm Service Agency, that administers the Farmer-owned 
Reserve Program. 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, the Government is a large 
purchaser of grain and related products, a system to monitor the 
collection and reporting of data is needed.
    The information must be collected, compiled, and disseminated by an 
impartial third-party, in a manner which protects the confidentiality 
of the reporting entity. AMS is in the best position to provide this 
service.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .108 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, individuals or 
households, farms, and the Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 202.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 19.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 420 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 validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the 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.

    Dated: March 7, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-5935 Filed 3-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-02-M