[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50744-50745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-20113]


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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 October 18, 2010 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: 
David Hancock, 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: David Hancock, 
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: December 31, 2010.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
information collection for a period of three years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service (NASS) is to collect, prepare and issue State and 
national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices and 
disposition as well as economic statistics, farm numbers, land values, 
on-farm pesticide usage, pest crop management practices, as well as the 
Census of Agriculture. 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; cattle on feed; grazing fees; and land values. Uses of the 
statistical information collected by these surveys are extensive and 
varied. Producers, farm organizations, agribusinesses, commodity 
exchanges, 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.
    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 
as amended, 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of 
Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. NASS also 
complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, ``Implementation Guidance 
for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information 
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),'' Federal 
Register, Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average less than 15 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 400,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 170,000 hours.
    Copies of this information collection and related instructions can 
be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, 
at (202) 690-2388.
    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, through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, technological or

[[Page 50745]]

other forms of information technology collection methods.
    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, July 27, 2010.
Joseph T. Reilly,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-20113 Filed 8-16-10; 8:45 am]
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