[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 207 (Friday, October 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 73825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23755]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: Economic Research Service (ERS), Department of Agriculture 
(USDA).

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request to comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ERS is 
proposing a new information collection to study farmers' practices and 
participation in cover crops, ``Corn and Soybean Grower Survey.''

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 26, 
2023 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to 
[email protected] identified by docket number 0536-NEW.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Julie 
Parker at [email protected] or 202-868-7945.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of collection: Corn and Soybean Grower Survey.
    OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
    Type of Request: A new information collection.
    Abstract:

Collection of Information for Corn and Soybean Grower Survey

    The proposed data collection will survey corn and soybean farmers 
in the Midwestern United States to study farmers' preferences for 
participating in programs that support cover cropping and gather new 
information about current cover cropping practices. This survey sample 
will be drawn from Midwestern states as they represent a large majority 
corn and soy acreage, similar policy contexts, and potential for growth 
in cover crop adoption. USDA agencies are interested in supporting 
voluntary long-run adoption of climate smart conservation practices 
such as cover crops through technical assistance and financial 
incentives. There are multiple Federal, state, and private programs 
that support planting cover crops. This study is interested in Federal 
programs, the two largest of which are the Environmental Quality 
Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program 
(CSP).
    The survey will use questions on contract enrollment to examine how 
contract flexibility, ease of applying, payments, and other aspects of 
cover crop contracts affect farmers' willingness to enroll their corn 
and soybean fields in cover crop programs. Results will be compared 
between farmers with no history of cover cropping in Federal programs 
and those who have cover cropped in Federal Programs.
    Participation in the survey will be voluntary, and subjects will be 
recruited by mail with options to participate either online or by mail. 
Data will be analyzed using discrete choice models to estimate farmer 
preferences for cover crop contracts. Results from the survey will be 
used in academic and Federal research publications to provide 
information to stakeholders and the public regarding farmer preferences 
for planting cover crops and participating in cover crop programs. This 
work will also inform future studies on adoption of cover crops and 
other conservation practices.

    Authority:  These data will be collected under the authority of 
U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) General duties of Secretary, 
advisory functions, research and development and 7 U.S.C 6971, Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, as 
implemented under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 7 CFR 2.21 
which delegates to the Under Secretary, as Chief Scientist, the 
responsibility for agricultural systems and technology, including 
emerging agricultural research, education, and extension needs. This 
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (at 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and 
Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. 5 CFR part 1320.
    Confidentiality: All ERS employees and ERS 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.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average approximately 30 minutes per 
respondent.
    Respondents: The respondents will be farmers who grow corn or soy 
in Midwestern states.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Up to 2,250 respondents. This is 
based on a 15% response rate from a sample of 15,000 farmers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Up to 3,625 hours.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of ERS, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of ERS's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, use, and clarity of the information for respondents, including 
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology; and (d) 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.

Spiro Stefanou,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2023-23755 Filed 10-26-23; 8:45 am]
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