2023-23952. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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 are requested regarding: 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; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by November 30, 2023. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function

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.

Agricultural Marketing Service

Title: Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News.

OMB Control Number: 0581–0033.

Summary of Collection: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627) (AMA), as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture “to collect and disseminate marketing information, including adequate outlook information on a market-area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income, and bringing about a balance between production, and utilization of agricultural products.” The collection of information in this request is based on the AMA, title II, subtitle A, § 203, principally, paragraphs (b), (g), and (k) that direct the Secretary of Agriculture to determine agricultural marketing costs and develop efficient marketing methods to reduce the price spread between producer and consumer; to collect and disseminate marketing information to bring about a balance between production and utilization of agricultural products; and to collect, tabulate, and disseminate agricultural marketing statistics.

Under this authority, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News (LPGMN) Division works to provide timely information of prices, supply, demands, trends, movement, and other details affecting the trade of livestock, poultry, meat, eggs, grain, and their related products, as well as locally produced and marketed products. The information requested is used to compile and disseminate market reports that provide current, unbiased information to all stakeholders in the U.S. agricultural industry.

Need and Use of the Information: Information is used by the private sector to make economic decisions to establish market values for application in contracts or settlement value, and to address specific concerns or issues related to trade agreements and disputes as well as being used by educational institutions, specifically, agricultural colleges and universities. Government agencies such as the Foreign Agricultural Service, Economic Research Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service use market news data in the performance of their missions. LPGMN reports provide interested segments of the market chain and the general public with unbiased comprehensive livestock, poultry, meat, eggs, wool, grain market data which helps equalize the competitive position of all market participants. The absence of these data would deny primary and secondary users information that otherwise would be available to aid them in their production and marketing decisions, analyses, research and knowledge of current market conditions. The omission of these data could adversely affect prices, supply, and demand.

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

Number of Respondents: 3,220.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 17,970.

Levi S. Harrell,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.