2018-15162. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 11, 2018.

The Department of Agriculture will submit the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 on or after the date of publication of this notice. Comments are requested regarding: (1) 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; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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), New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC; New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [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 by August 16, 2018. 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: Field Crops Production.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0002.

Summary of Collection: The primary functions of the National Agricultural Statistics Services' (NASS) are to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, disposition, and prices and to collect information on related environmental and economic factors. The Field Crops Production Program consists of probability field crops surveys and supplemental panel surveys. These surveys are extremely valuable for commodities where acreage and yield are published at the county level. NASS will use surveys to collect information through a combination of the internet, mail, telephone, and personnel interviews. 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 collects information on field crops to monitor agricultural developments across the country that may impact on the nation's food supply. The Secretary of Agriculture uses estimates of crop production to administer farm program legislation and import and export programs. Collecting this information less frequently would eliminate the data needed to keep the Department abreast of changes at the State and national level.

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

Number of Respondents: 626,115.

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

Total Burden Hours: 181,411.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.