[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 44583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16179]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    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 
are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (4) 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.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by August 
8, 2016 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC, 20503. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. 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: 2017 Census of Agriculture.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0226.
    Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS) is responsible for conducting the Census of Agriculture under 
the authority of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, Public Law 105-
113. The census of agriculture is required by law every five years and 
is the primary source of statistics concerning the nation's 
agricultural industry. It provides the only basis of consistent, 
comparable data throughout the more than 3,000 counties in the 50 
States and Puerto Rico. For the outlying areas of American Samoa, 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and U.S. Virgin 
Islands, it is the only source of consistent, comparable agricultural 
data.
    Need and Use of the Information: The data collection for the 
censuses of agriculture for the 50 states and Puerto Rico will be 
conducted primarily by mail-out/mail-back procedures (US Postal 
Service), internet, and with phone and field enumeration for targeted 
non-respondents. Data collection for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa will be 
conducted using direct enumeration methods only. The census provides 
data on the number and types of farms, land use, crop area and selected 
production, livestock inventory and sales, production contracts, 
production expenses, farm-related income, and other demographic 
characteristics. This information will serve as the basis for many 
agriculturally-based decisions. Census information is used by the 
Administration, Congress, and the Federal Agencies to formulate and 
evaluate national agricultural programs and policy. The Department of 
Agriculture and the Bureau of Economic Analysis use Census data to 
compile farm sector economic indicators. State and local governments 
use Census data in the development of local agricultural programs.
    Description of Respondents: Farms; Individuals or households.
    Number of Respondents: 4,438,800.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (Every 5 years).
    Total Burden Hours: 2,763,085.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016-16179 Filed 7-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P