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###### Department of Agriculture

###### National Agricultural Statistics Service 

# AGENCY:

National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA. 

# ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Agricultural Surveys Program. Revision to burden hours may be needed due to changes in the size of the target population, sampling design, and/or questionnaire length. 

# DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by July 16, 2007 to be assured of consideration. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0213, by any of the following methods: 
      -  E-mail: gmcbride@nass.usda.gov . Include docket number above in the subject line of the message.                     
      -  Fax:                          (202) 720-6396.                     
      -  Mail:                          Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.                     
      -  Hand Delivery/Courier:                          Hand deliver to: Ginny McBride, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2024.                     

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joseph T. Reilly, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-4333. 

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*Title:*                     Agricultural Surveys Program.                 

*OMB Control Number:*                     0535-0213.                 

*Expiration Date of Approval:*                     September 30, 2007.                 

*Type of Request:*                     To revise and 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, farm numbers, land values, on-farm pesticide usage, and pest crop management practices. The Agricultural Surveys Program contains a series of surveys that obtains basic agricultural data from farmers and ranchers throughout the Nation for preparing agricultural estimates and forecasts of crop acreage, yield, and production; stocks of grains and soybeans; hog and pig numbers; sheep inventory and lamb crop; cattle inventory; and cattle on feed.                

Grazing fees, land values, pesticide usage, and pest management practices data are also collected. 

Uses of the statistical information are extensive and varied. Producers, farm organizations, agribusinesses, State and national farm policy makers, and government agencies are important users of these statistics. Agricultural statistics are used to plan and administer other related Federal and State programs in such areas as consumer protection, conservation, foreign trade, education, and recreation. 

The Agricultural Surveys Program had approval from OMB for a 3-year period. NASS intends to request that the program be approved for another 3 years. 

*Authority:*                     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. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A), and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995).                 

*Estimate of Burden:*                     Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response.                 

*Respondents:*                     Farms and Ranches.                 

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     650,000.                 

*Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:*                     162,500 hours.                 

Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from Ginny McBride, NASS 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.                 

All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval. 

Signed at Washington, DC, April 24, 2007. 

Joseph T. Reilly, 

Associate Administrator. 

 [FR Doc. E7-9237 Filed 5-14-07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410-20-P