[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45723-45724]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15949]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. AMS-LS-07-0102; LS-07-13]


Notice of Request for Extension 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

[[Page 45724]]

Service's (AMS) intention to request approval, from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for an extension and revision of a currently 
approved information collection used to compile and generate the 
livestock and meat market reports for the Livestock and Grain Market 
News Branch of the Livestock and Seed Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 15, 2007 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; Room 2619-S; 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0252; Phone (202) 
720-8054; Fax (202) 690-3732; e-mailed to the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, or e-mailed to 
[email protected]. State that your comments refer to Docket 
No. AMS-LS-07-0102; LS-07-13.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Warren Preston, Chief, Livestock 
and Grain Market News Branch, AMS, USDA, by telephone on 202/720-4846, 
or via e-mail at: [email protected] or Jimmy A. Beard, Assistant 
to the Chief, Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, AMS, USDA, by 
telephone on 202/720-8054, or e-mail at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Livestock and Meat Market Reports.
    OMB Number: 0581-0154.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 02-29-2008.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, 
et. seq.) 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.
    Under this market news program, AMS issues market news reports 
covering the livestock and meat trade, which encompasses a wide range 
of industry contacts, including packers, processors, producers, 
brokers, and retailers. These reports are compiled on a voluntary 
basis, in cooperation with the livestock and meat industry. The 
information provided by respondents initiates market news reporting, 
which must be timely, accurate, unbiased, and continuous if it is to be 
meaningful to the industry. The livestock and meat industry requested 
that AMS issue livestock and meat market reports in order to assist 
them in making informed production and marketing decisions. In 
addition, several Government agencies that purchase meat for various 
Federal programs use this data in making their purchasing decisions.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated at .08 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit, individuals or 
households, farms, and the Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,710.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 4,386,150.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 126.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 215,020 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 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. Comments may be sent to Jimmy A. Beard, 1400 
Independence Ave., Room 2619-S, Washington, DC 20250-0252. Comments can 
be submitted to: http://www.regulations.gov and viewed there as well. 
All comments received will be available for public inspection during 
regular business hours at the same address and on the Internet at 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs.
    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.

    Dated: August 9, 2007.
Lloyd Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-15949 Filed 8-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P