[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 57399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24918]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 / 
Notices  

[[Page 57399]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service


Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New 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 seek approval to conduct a new information collection 
to gather data related to what types of technologies are used on farms 
during a specified reference period. This clearance will allow NASS to 
conduct surveys in a timely manner for the cooperating institutions 
providing funding for the surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 14, 2019 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
NEW, 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, 202-720-4333. 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: Farm Technology Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct a new 
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, environmental statistics 
related to agriculture; and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture.
    The Farm Technology Survey will collect information from farmers 
regarding what types of technologies are used during a specified 
reference period. These technologies will include both physical and 
non-physical types such as tablets, applications, automatic sensors, 
etc. The collected data will be used by State Departments of 
Agriculture and Land Grant Universities to determine the need for 
providing assistance to farmers and ranchers to fulfill their 
technology needs, indicated by the data. These surveys will be 
conducted through cooperative agreements with State Departments of 
Agriculture and/or universities; with the cooperators providing the 
funding.
    Authority: These data will be collected under 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 (Pub. L. 104-113, 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 information 
collection is based on similar surveys with expected response time of 
15 minutes. The estimated sample size will be approximately 2,000. The 
frequency of data collection for each survey is annual. The estimated 
number of responses per respondent is 1. Publicity materials and 
instruction sheets will account for approximately 5 minutes of 
additional burden per respondent. Respondents who refuse to complete a 
survey will be allotted 2 minutes of burden per attempt to collect the 
data. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with phone follow-
up for non-response.
    Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 2,000 annually.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: Approximately 600 hours 
annually. 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, October 31, 2018.
Kevin L. Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-24918 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-20-P