05-21080. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 17, 2005.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments regarding (a) whether the 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 burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Title: Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0004.

Summary of Collection: The primary function of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. Thousands of farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and others voluntarily respond to nationwide surveys about crops, livestock, prices, and other agricultural activities. Estimates of egg, chicken, and turkey production are in an integral part of this program. General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statue specifies the “The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which she can obtain * * * by the collection of statistics * * * and shall distribute them among agriculturists”. Information published from the surveys in this docket is needed by USDA economists and government policy makers to ensure the orderly marketing of broilers, turkeys and eggs.

Need and Use of the Information: Statistics on these poultry products contribute to a comprehensive program of keeping the government and poultry industry abreast of anticipated changes. All of the poultry reports are used by producers, processors, feed dealers, and others in the marketing and supply channels as a basis for their production and marketing decisions.

Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for profit.

Number of Respondents: 3,714.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 4,013.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.