[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44562-44563]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18958]


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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 Stocks Reports. Revision to burden 
hours will 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 30, 2018 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0007, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     E-fax: (855) 838-6382.
     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.

[[Page 44563]]

     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: Kevin L. Barnes, Associate 
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information 
collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from 
David Hancock, NASS--OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Stocks Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0007.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2019.
    Type of Request: Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an 
Information Collection for 3 years.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates 
of crop and livestock production, stocks, disposition, and prices. The 
Stocks Report surveys, provide estimates of stocks of grains, hops, 
oilseeds, peanuts, potatoes, and rice that are stored off-farm. These 
off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to estimate stocks in 
all positions. The grain Stocks Reports are a principle economic 
indicator as defined by OMB. Stocks statistics are used by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to help administer programs; by State 
agencies to develop, research, and promote the marketing of products; 
and by producers and buyers to find their best market opportunity(s). 
The Stocks Reports are instrumental in providing timely, accurate data 
to help grain market participants. Since the previous approval, NASS 
has made several adjustments to the number of respondents contacted and 
the overall respondent burden. The largest adjustment to sample size is 
for the off-farm grain and oilseed operations that has been decreased 
by approximately 600 operations (quarterly), due to numerous mergers of 
operations over the last three years.
    The current expiration date for this docket is January 31, 2019. 
NASS intends to request that the survey 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 
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: This information collection comprises 14 
individual surveys that are conducted either 1, 4, 5, or 12 times a 
year for an estimated total of 24,700 responses. Average reporting 
burden for this collection of information ranges from 10 to 25 minutes 
per response.
    Respondents: Farms and businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,300.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,300 hours.
    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 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, August 23, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-18958 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
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