Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New Information Collection

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)

Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)

Notices

Page 57399

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2018-24918

Page 57399

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Notice of Intent To Request To Conduct a New 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 this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to seek approval to conduct a new information collection to gather data related to what types of technologies are used on farms during a specified reference period. This clearance will allow NASS to conduct surveys in a timely manner for the cooperating institutions providing funding for the surveys.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 14, 2019 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-

NEW, by any of the following methods:

Email: email protected. 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.

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, 202-720-4333. 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 email protected.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Farm Technology Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0535-NEW.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to conduct a new information collection for a period of three years.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to collect, prepare, and issue state and national estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition; as well as economic statistics, environmental statistics related to agriculture; and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture.

The Farm Technology Survey will collect information from farmers regarding what types of technologies are used during a specified reference period. These technologies will include both physical and non-physical types such as tablets, applications, automatic sensors, etc. The collected data will be used by State Departments of Agriculture and Land Grant Universities to determine the need for providing assistance to farmers and ranchers to fulfill their technology needs, indicated by the data. These surveys will be conducted through cooperative agreements with State Departments of Agriculture and/or universities; with the cooperators providing the funding.

Authority: 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 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 (Pub. L. 104-113, 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: Public reporting burden for this information collection is based on similar surveys with expected response time of 15 minutes. The estimated sample size will be approximately 2,000. The frequency of data collection for each survey is annual. The estimated number of responses per respondent is 1. Publicity materials and instruction sheets will account for approximately 5 minutes of additional burden per respondent. Respondents who refuse to complete a survey will be allotted 2 minutes of burden per attempt to collect the data. NASS will conduct the survey initially by mail with phone follow-

up for non-response.

Respondents: Farmers and ranchers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 2,000 annually.

Frequency of Responses: On occasion.

Estimated Total Burden on Respondents: Approximately 600 hours annually. This will include burden for both the initial mailing and phone follow-up to non-respondents, as well as publicity and instruction materials mailed out with questionnaires.

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, October 31, 2018.

Kevin L. Barnes,

Associate Administrator.

FR Doc. 2018-24918 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am

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