Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved

Information Collection

AGENCY: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.

L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5

CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the

National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) intention to request

an extension of a currently approved information collection, the

Agricultural Prices that expires May 31, 1998.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 27, 1998 to be

assured of consideration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Rich Allen, Associate

Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 4117

South Building, Washington, DC 20250-2000, (202) 720-4333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Agricultural Prices.

OMB Number: 0535-0003.

Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 1998.

Type of Request: To extend 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 and prices. The Agricultural Prices

surveys provide estimates of prices received by farmers and prices paid

for production goods and services needed by the U.S. Department of

Agriculture. These price estimates are used to compute Parity Prices in

accordance with requirements of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938

as amended (Title III, Subtitle A, Section 301a). In addition, price

data are used to administer target price provisions (deficiency

payments) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of

1990. The Agricultural Prices Surveys has approval from OMB for a 3-

year period. NASS intends to request that the survey be approved for

another 3 years.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 11 minutes per response.

Respondents: Individual Job Applicants.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 81,800.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 15,000 hours.

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can

be obtained without charge from Larry Gambrell, the Agency OMB

Clearance Officer, at (202) 720-5778.

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, such as through the use of appropriate automated,

electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or

other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Larry

Gambrell, Agency OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture,

1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, DC,

20250-2000. All responses to this notice will be summarized and

included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become

a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, DC, January 14, 1998.

Rich Allen,

Acting Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 98-1301 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]

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