02-15124. Notice of Intent To Revise and Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request an extension for and revision to a currently approved information collection, the Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by August 21, 2002, to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Comments may be mailed to Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250 or sent electronically to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rich Allen, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Field Crops Objective Yield.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0088.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2002.

Type of Request: Intent to extend and revise a currently approved information collection.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production. The Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys objectively predict yields for corn, cotton, potatoes, soybeans, and wheat. Sample fields are randomly selected for these crops, plots are laid out, and periodic counts and measurements are taken and then used to forecast production during the growing season. Production forecasts are published in USDA Crop Production reports. Decreases in the previous number of sample plots and in the number of data collections per sample plot are planned. The Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys has approval from OMB for a 3-year period; NASS intends to request that the surveys be approved for another 3 years.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 24 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,225.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,900 hours.

These data will be collected under the authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority are governed by section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS OMB Clearance Officer, at [phone].

Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 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. All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

Dated: June 4, 2002.

Rich Allen,

Associate Administrator.