[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23838-23839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8979]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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 
intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to 
seek approval to revise and extend a currently approved information 
collection, the Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 5, 2005, to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically to 
[email protected] or faxed to (202) 720-6396.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol House, Associate Administrator, 
National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Field Crops Objective Yield.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2005.
    Type of Request: Intent to revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Field 
Crops Objective Yield Surveys objectively predict yields for corn, 
cotton, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat. Sample fields are randomly 
selected for these crops, plots are laid out, and

[[Page 23839]]

periodic counts and measurements are taken and then used to forecast 
production during the growing season. Production forecasts are 
published in USDA Crop Production reports. The Field Crops Objective 
Yield Surveys have approval from OMB for a 3-year period; NASS intends 
to request that the surveys be approved for another 3 years.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 24 minutes.
    Respondents: Farms.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,555.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 3,422 hours.
    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.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS 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.
    All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record 
and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

    Signed at Washington, DC, March 24, 2005.
Carol House,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-8979 Filed 5-2-05; 2:34 pm]
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