[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44563-44564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18959]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend 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 Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys. 
A 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-
0004, 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.
     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: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.
    OMB Number: 0535-0004.
    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

[[Page 44564]]

is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and 
livestock production, prices, and disposition. The Egg, Chicken, and 
Turkey Surveys obtain basic poultry statistics from voluntary 
cooperators throughout the Nation. Statistics are published on 
placement of pullet chicks for hatchery supply flocks; hatching reports 
for broiler-type, egg-type, and turkey eggs; number of layers on hand; 
total table egg production; and production and value estimates for 
eggs, chickens, and turkeys. The frequencies of the surveys being 
conducted include weekly, monthly, and annually. This information is 
used by producers, processors, feed dealers, and others in marketing 
and supply channels as a basis for production and marketing decisions. 
Government agencies use these estimates to evaluate poultry product 
supplies. The information is an important consideration in government 
purchases for the National School Lunch Program and in formulation of 
export-import policy. The current expiration date for this docket is 
January 31, 2019. NASS intends to request that the surveys 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: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated between 8 and 35 minutes per respondent per 
survey. Additional burden is allowed for the inclusion of publicity 
materials and instructions on how to respond to the surveys via the 
internet.
    Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, farm managers, and farm 
contractors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,900 hours. This 
will include burden for both the initial mailing and phone follow-up to 
non-respondents, as well as publicity and instruction materials mailed 
out with questionnaires.
    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. 2018-18959 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
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