[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66258-66259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23928]


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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, Objective Yield Surveys. Minor changes 
to burden 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 January 3, 2023 to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-
0088, by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include docket number 
above in the subject line of the message.
     eFax: (855) 838-6382.
     Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: 
Richard Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Room 5336, South Building, 1400 Independence

[[Page 66259]]

Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: Richard Hopper, 
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 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 Richard 
Hopper, NASS Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Objective Yield Surveys.
    OMB Control Number: 0535-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2023.
    Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved 
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, farm numbers, land values, 
on-farm pesticide usage, pest crop management practices, as well as the 
Census of Agriculture. The Objective Yield Surveys objectively predict 
yields for corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans, wheat, citrus, almonds, 
walnuts, and hazelnuts. Sample fields are randomly selected for these 
crops, plots are laid out, and periodic counts and measurements are 
taken and then used to forecast production during the growing season. 
Production forecasts are published in USDA crop reports.
    The fruit and nut objective yield surveys are conducted under 
cooperative agreements with several State Departments of Agriculture. 
The individual States will be reimbursing NASS for the costs associated 
with these additional surveys. The surveys will include: California 
citrus, almonds and walnuts; Florida citrus; and Oregon hazelnuts.
    The increased burden hours and sample sizes reported below include 
these additional surveys.
    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.
    All NASS employees and NASS contractors must also fully comply with 
all provisions of the Confidential Information Protection and 
Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, Title III of Public Law 
115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. Ch. 35. CIPSEA supports NASS's pledge of 
confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts 
to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative 
agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations 
and penalties described in CIPSEA.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average between 2 and 30 minutes per 
respondent.
    Respondents: Farmers, ranchers, or farm managers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 13,500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,500 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, October 18, 2022.
Kevin Barnes,
Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022-23928 Filed 11-2-22; 8:45 am]
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