[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61569-61570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24902]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 4, 2012.
    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, Public Law 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), New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC; [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 publication 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.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

    Title: Stocks Reports
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0007
    Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National 
Agricultural

[[Page 61570]]

Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official 
State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, stocks, 
disposition, and prices. As part of this function, estimates are made 
for stocks of off-farm grains and oilseeds, potatoes, peanuts, hops, 
and rice. Grain and oilseed stocks in all positions (on-farm and off-
farm) are estimated quarterly. Grain stock estimates are one of the 
most important NASS estimates, which are watched closely by growers and 
industry groups. General authority for data collection is granted under 
U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. The Hop Growers of America provides 
the data collection for much of the production information because of 
sensitivity issues an impartial third party, NASS, collects stocks and 
price information.
    Need and Use of the Information: NASS collects information to 
administer farm program legislation and make decisions relative to the 
export-import programs. Estimates of stocks provide essential 
statistics on supplies and contribute to orderly marketing. Farmers and 
agribusiness firms use these estimates in their production and 
marketing decisions. Collecting this information less frequently would 
eliminate data needed by government, industry and farmers to keep 
abreast of changes at the State and national level.
    Description of Respondents: Business or other for profit; Farms.
    Number of Respondents: 9,119.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Monthly; Quarterly; Semi-
annually; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,889.

Charlene Parker,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-24902 Filed 10-9-12; 8:45 am]
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