[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 66956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31273]



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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
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statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
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Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 248 / Wednesday, December 27, 1995 / 
Notices

[[Page 66956]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. LS-95-016]


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) request for comments from the grain industry to improve 
or change the procedures for collecting information used to compile and 
generate grain related reports.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Contact Jimmy A. Beard; Assistant to the Chief; Livestock 
and Grain Market News Branch, Livestock and Seed Division, AMS-USDA, 
Room 2623 South Building, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jimmy A. Beard, (202) 720-1050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: Grain Market News Reports and Molasses Market News Reports.
    OMB Number: 0581-0005.
    Expiration Date of Approval: 3-31-96.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The grain industry has requested that USDA issue market 
news reports on grain and molasses. These reports are compiled in 
cooperation with the grain and feed industry and AMS. Market news 
reporting must be timely, accurate, and continuous if it is to be 
useful to producers, processors, and the trade in general. Industry 
traders can use market news information to make marketing decisions on 
when and where to buy and sell. For example, a producer could compare 
prices being paid at local, terminal, or export elevators to determine 
which location will provide the best return. Some traders might choose 
to chart prices over a period of time in order to determine the most 
advantageous day of the week to buy or sell, or to determine the most 
favorable season. In addition, the reports are used by other Government 
agencies to evaluate market conditions and calculate price levels used 
for the Farmer-owned Reserve Program. Economists at most major 
agricultural colleges and universities use the grain and feed market 
news reports to make short and long-term market projections.
    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621), section 
203(g) directs and authorizes the collection and dissemination of 
marketing information including adequate outlook information, on a 
market area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer 
requirements aiding in the maintenance of farm income and to bring 
about a balance between production and utilization.
    The grain industry could not collect the information themselves as 
they would not want to divulge their information to competitors, and 
exchange of such information between competitors would violate 
antitrust laws. Consequently, the information must be collected, 
compiled, and disseminated by an impartial third- party, in a manner 
which protects the confidentiality of the reporter. Also, since the 
Government is a large purchaser of grain and related products, a system 
to monitor the collection and reporting of data is needed.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average .0833 hours per response.
    Respondents: Business or other for profit, individuals or 
households, farms, Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 52.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 204 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Jimmy A. 
Beard, Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, at (202) 720-1050.
    Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate, ways 
to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any 
other aspect of this collection of information, to: Jimmy A. Beard, 
Assistant to the Chief, Livestock and Grain Market News Branch, 
Livestock and Seed Division, AMS-USDA, Room 2623 South Building, P.O. 
Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.
    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, and will be made available at the address above during 
regular business hours.

    Dated: December 18, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-31273 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P