[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12645-12646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5054]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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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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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 15, 2005 / 
Notices  

[[Page 12645]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

March 10, 2005.
    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, Pub. L. 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), [email protected] or 
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, 
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 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) 720-8681.
    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.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Organic Apple Production Survey in Pacific Northwest.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is 
responsible for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of 
market-based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In 
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed 
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved 
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter 
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this 
end.
    Need and Use of the Information: The main user of the data from the 
survey will be RMA in the development of appropriate risk management 
tools for the specialty crop producer as mandated by the Agricultural 
Risk Protection Act. The survey will enable the research partnership of 
RMA and the universities to develop a risk management profile of 
organic apple producers. An example of the analysis to be developed 
would be the projection of insurance demand under a variety of premium 
and indemnity calculations. In depth analysis of the survey results 
will provide guidance in the design of insurance programs.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 149.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 57.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Survey on Risk Issues for Organic Grain Farmers.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible 
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In 
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed 
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved 
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter 
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this 
end.
    Need and Use of the Information: The main user of the data from the 
survey will be the Risk Management Agency (RMA) in the development of 
appropriate risk management tools for organic grain producers. The 
survey will enable the research partnership of RMA and Kansas State 
University to develop a risk management profile of organic grain 
producers. An example of the analysis to be developed would be the 
projection of premiums for organic grains and net income projections 
under various market conditions and risk management strategies. In-
depth analysis of the survey results will provide guidance in the 
design of risk management tools tailored for the use of organic grain 
producers.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 1,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 625.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Organic Handler Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible 
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In 
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed 
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved 
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter 
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this 
end.
    Need and Use of the Information: The price and marketing 
information will improve the efficiency of farmers' production and 
marketing decisions. The research will reveal how the industry is 
coping with market risks and growth, will demonstrate different 
marketing options available to farmers, and determine the extent to 
which organic farmers are using specific risk-management tools 
traditionally used by conventional producers, such as contracts. The 
educational tool will provide farmers with information about risk-
management strategies, marketing arrangements, and marketing channels 
for specific commodities. Certified organic farmers and those 
considering transitioning to organic farming will find this information 
useful in improving the efficiency of production and marketing 
decisions.

[[Page 12646]]

    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 2,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
    Total Burden Hours: 1,100.

Risk Management Agency

    Title: Organic Price Index Project.
    OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
    Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible 
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In 
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed 
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved 
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter 
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this 
end.
    Need and Use of the Information: Since early 2003, the Rodale 
Institute has posted prices for around 40 organic products in a file 
called the ``Organic Price Index''. The prices have been collected from 
wholesale distributors, sales agencies, and cooperatives that 
specialize in the marketing of organic products. Fruit and vegetable 
prices have been collected from organic wholesalers operating in the 
vicinity of the Seattle and Boston wholesale produce markets. Prices of 
identical conventional products reported by Agricultural Marketing 
Service in these markets are also posted for comparison. As part of 
this project, prices will be collected for a wider array of organic 
products and in 13 additional market areas.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 60.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 53.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-5054 Filed 3-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P