[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31411-31412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10838]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 25, 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.

Farm Service Agency

    Title: Report of Acreage.
    OMB Control Number: 0560-0004.
    Summary of Collection: 7 U.S.C. 7333(b)(3) specifically requires, 
for crops and commodities covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster 
Assistance Program (NAP), annual reports of acreage planted and 
prevented from being planted, as required by the Secretary, by the 
designated acreage reporting data for the crop and location as 
established by the Secretary. The report of acreage is conducted on an 
annual basis and is used by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county 
offices to

[[Page 31412]]

determine eligibility for benefits that are available to producers on 
the farm. The actual number of producers who must supply information 
varies depending on (1) the type of farming operation, and (2) the mix 
of crops planted (which has a direct relationship to the type of 
program the producer is eligible to participate in). In order to 
establish eligibility annually for these programs, a minimal amount of 
land and crop data about a producer's farming operation is required. 
The information is subsequently used to ensure compliance with program 
provisions, to determine actual production histories, and when disaster 
occurs, to verify crop loss. Producers must provide the information 
each year because variables such as previous year experience, weather 
occurrences and projections, market demand, new farming techniques and 
personal preferences affect the amount of land being farmed, the mix of 
crops planted, and the projected harvest.
    Need and Use of the Information: FSA will collect information 
verbally from the producers during visits to the county offices. FSA 
will collect one or more of the following data elements, as required: 
Crop planted, planting date, crop's intended use, type or variety, 
practice (irrigated or non-irrigated), acres, location of the crop 
(tract and field), and the producer's percent share in the crop along 
with the names of other producers having an interest in the crop. Once 
the information is collected and eligibility established, the 
information is used throughout the crop year to ensure the producer 
remains compliant with program provisions. If information is not 
reported, FSA has no basis to calculate APH, losses could not be 
determined, and information for crop insurance expansion could not be 
provided to RMA.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Farms; 
State, local, or tribal government; Business or other for-profit; Not-
for-profit institutions; State, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 291,500.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 510,125.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-10838 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P