[Federal Register: March 15, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 49)]
[Notices]
[Page 12645-12646]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15mr05-24]
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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,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 12645]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
March 10, 2005.
The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. Comments
regarding (a) Whether the 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 burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or
fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO,
Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured of having their full effect if
received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the
submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-8681.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information
unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to
respond to the collection of information that such persons are not
required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
Risk Management Agency
Title: Organic Apple Production Survey in Pacific Northwest.
OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is
responsible for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of
market-based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this
end.
Need and Use of the Information: The main user of the data from the
survey will be RMA in the development of appropriate risk management
tools for the specialty crop producer as mandated by the Agricultural
Risk Protection Act. The survey will enable the research partnership of
RMA and the universities to develop a risk management profile of
organic apple producers. An example of the analysis to be developed
would be the projection of insurance demand under a variety of premium
and indemnity calculations. In depth analysis of the survey results
will provide guidance in the design of insurance programs.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 149.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
Total Burden Hours: 57.
Risk Management Agency
Title: Survey on Risk Issues for Organic Grain Farmers.
OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this
end.
Need and Use of the Information: The main user of the data from the
survey will be the Risk Management Agency (RMA) in the development of
appropriate risk management tools for organic grain producers. The
survey will enable the research partnership of RMA and Kansas State
University to develop a risk management profile of organic grain
producers. An example of the analysis to be developed would be the
projection of premiums for organic grains and net income projections
under various market conditions and risk management strategies. In-
depth analysis of the survey results will provide guidance in the
design of risk management tools tailored for the use of organic grain
producers.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 1,500.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
Total Burden Hours: 625.
Risk Management Agency
Title: Organic Handler Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this
end.
Need and Use of the Information: The price and marketing
information will improve the efficiency of farmers' production and
marketing decisions. The research will reveal how the industry is
coping with market risks and growth, will demonstrate different
marketing options available to farmers, and determine the extent to
which organic farmers are using specific risk-management tools
traditionally used by conventional producers, such as contracts. The
educational tool will provide farmers with information about risk-
management strategies, marketing arrangements, and marketing channels
for specific commodities. Certified organic farmers and those
considering transitioning to organic farming will find this information
useful in improving the efficiency of production and marketing
decisions.
[[Page 12646]]
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 2,000.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (One time).
Total Burden Hours: 1,100.
Risk Management Agency
Title: Organic Price Index Project.
OMB Control Number: 0563-NEW.
Summary of Collection: The Risk Management Agency is responsible
for promoting, supporting, and regulating a broad array of market-
based, risk management programs for agricultural producers. In
legislation enacted in 2000 and 2002, Congress authorized and directed
the agency to ``increase participation by producers of underserved
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops'' and to ``enter
into contracts to carry out research and development'' to achieve this
end.
Need and Use of the Information: Since early 2003, the Rodale
Institute has posted prices for around 40 organic products in a file
called the ``Organic Price Index''. The prices have been collected from
wholesale distributors, sales agencies, and cooperatives that
specialize in the marketing of organic products. Fruit and vegetable
prices have been collected from organic wholesalers operating in the
vicinity of the Seattle and Boston wholesale produce markets. Prices of
identical conventional products reported by Agricultural Marketing
Service in these markets are also posted for comparison. As part of
this project, prices will be collected for a wider array of organic
products and in 13 additional market areas.
Description of Respondents: Farms; Business or other for-profit.
Number of Respondents: 60.
Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
Total Burden Hours: 53.
Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-5054 Filed 3-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P