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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 Stocks Reports. Revision to burden hours will 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 October 30, 2018 to be assured of consideration.

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0007, by any of the following methods:
      -  Email: OMBofficer@nass.usda.gov.                          Include docket number above in the subject line of the message.                    
      -  E-fax:                          (855) 838-6382.                    
      -  Mail:                          Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.                               ( print page 44563)      
      -  Hand Delivery/Courier:                          Hand deliver to: David Hancock, NASS Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Kevin L. Barnes, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202) 720-2707. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from David Hancock, NASS—OMB Clearance Officer, at (202) 690-2388 or at                         *ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

*Title:*                     Stocks Reports.                

*OMB Control Number:*                     0535-0007.                

*Expiration Date of Approval:*                     January 31, 2019.                

*Type of Request:*                     Intent to Seek Approval to Revise and Extend an Information Collection for 3 years.                

*Abstract:*                     The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is to prepare and issue State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, stocks, disposition, and prices. The                     *Stocks Report*                     surveys, provide estimates of stocks of grains, hops, oilseeds, peanuts, potatoes, and rice that are stored off-farm. These off-farm stocks are combined with on-farm stocks to estimate stocks in all positions. The grain                     *Stocks Reports*                     are a principle economic indicator as defined by OMB. Stocks statistics are used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help administer programs; by State agencies to develop, research, and promote the marketing of products; and by producers and buyers to find their best market opportunity(s). The                     *Stocks Reports*                     are instrumental in providing timely, accurate data to help grain market participants. Since the previous approval, NASS has made several adjustments to the number of respondents contacted and the overall respondent burden. The largest adjustment to sample size is for the off-farm grain and oilseed operations that has been decreased by approximately 600 operations (quarterly), due to numerous mergers of operations over the last three years.                

The current expiration date for this docket is January 31, 2019. NASS intends to request that the survey 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 as amended, 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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501,                     *et seq.*), and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.                

                    NASS also complies with OMB Implementation Guidance, “Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA),”                     **Federal Register**                    , Vol. 72, No. 115, June 15, 2007, p. 33362.                

*Estimate of Burden:*                     This information collection comprises 14 individual surveys that are conducted either 1, 4, 5, or 12 times a year for an estimated total of 24,700 responses. Average reporting burden for this collection of information ranges from 10 to 25 minutes per response.                

*Respondents:*                     Farms and businesses.                

*Estimated Number of Respondents:*                     6,300.                

*Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:*                     5,300 hours.                

*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, through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, technological, or other forms of information technology collection methods.                

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, August 23, 2018.

Kevin L. Barnes,

Associate Administrator.

[FR Doc. 2018-18958 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]

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