[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 27283]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9237]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request Revision and Extension of a Currently 
Approved 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, this 
notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently 
approved information collection, the Agricultural Surveys Program. 
Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of 
the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by July 16, 2007 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0213, by any of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 720-6396.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Ginny McBride, 
NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Agricultural Surveys Program.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0213.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2007.
    Type of Request: 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, farm numbers, land values, on-farm 
pesticide usage, and pest crop management practices. The Agricultural 
Surveys Program contains a series of surveys that obtains basic 
agricultural data from farmers and ranchers throughout the Nation for 
preparing agricultural estimates and forecasts of crop acreage, yield, 
and production; stocks of grains and soybeans; hog and pig numbers; 
sheep inventory and lamb crop; cattle inventory; and cattle on feed.
    Grazing fees, land values, pesticide usage, and pest management 
practices data are also collected.
    Uses of the 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 Agricultural Surveys Program had approval from OMB for a 3-year 
period. NASS intends to request that the program be approved for 
another 3 years.
    Authority: 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. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), and Office of Management and Budget 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farms and Ranches.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 650,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 162,500 hours.
    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, April 24, 2007.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-9237 Filed 5-14-07; 8:45 am]
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