E7-21360. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 25, 2007.

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: Milk and Milk Products.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0020.

Summary of Collection: The National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) primary function is to prepare and issue current official state and national estimates of crop and livestock production. Estimates of milk production and manufactured dairy products are an integral part of this program. Milk and dairy statistics are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help administer price support programs and by the dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting supplies of milk and milk products. The general authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204.

Need and Use of the Information: NASS will collect information on monthly estimates of stocks, shipments, and selling prices for such products as butter, cheese, dry whey, and nonfat dry milk. Cheddar cheese prices are collected weekly and used by USDA to assist in the determination of the fair market value of raw milk. Estimates of total milk production, number of milk cows, and milk production per cow, are used by the dairy industry in planning, pricing, and projecting supplies of milk and milk products. Collecting data less frequently would prevent USDA and the agricultural industry from keeping abreast of changes at the State and national level.

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

Number of Respondents: 25,071.

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

Total Burden Hours: 11,061.

Charlene Parker,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.