Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise 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 for and revision to a currently approved information

collection, the Field Crops Objective Yield Surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by April 1, 1999 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: Field Crops Objective Yield.

OMB Number: 0535-0088.

Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 1999.

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 wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans,

and potatoes. Sample fields are randomly selected for these crops.

Plots and laid out and periodic counts and measurements are taken and

used to forecast production during the growing season. Production

forecasts are published in USDA Crop Production reports. An increase in

the number of plots is planned. The Field Corps 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.

These data will be collected under 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.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of

information is estimated to average 19 minutes per response.

Respondents: Farms and businesses.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 8,100.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,200 hours.

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Copies of this information collection and related instructions can

be obtained without charge from Larry Gambell, 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, including 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 Avenue SW, Room 4162 South Building, Washington, D.C.

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 13, 1999.

Rich Allen,

Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

[FR Doc. 99-1684 Filed 1-25-99; 8:45 am]

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