[Federal Register: April 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 74)]
[Notices]
[Page 20345]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap05-22]
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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 20345]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. LS-05-03]
Notice of Request for Extension 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) intention to request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget, for an extension of the currently approved
information collection used to compile and generate grain and molasses
market news reports.
DATES: Comments received by June 20, 2005, will be considered.
Additional Information or Comments: Contact Jimmy A. Beard;
Assistant to the Chief; Livestock and Grain Market News Branch,
Livestock and Seed Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Avenue SW.; STOP 0252;
Room 2619-S; Washington, DC 20250-0252; Phone (202) 720-8054; Fax (202)
690-3732; or e-mailed to marketnewscomments@usda.gov. All comments
received will be available for public inspection at this address during
the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on the
Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Grain Market News Reports and
Molasses Market News Reports.
OMB Number: 0581-0005.
Expiration Date of Approval: 08-31-2005.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Abstract: The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621, et
seq.), 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 has requested that USDA continue to issue market
news reports on grain and molasses. These reports are compiled by AMS
in cooperation with the grain and feed industry. 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, such
as USDA's Farm Service Agency, that administers 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. Also, the Government is a large
purchaser of grain and related products. A system to monitor the
collection and reporting of data, therefore is needed.
The information must be collected, compiled, and disseminated by an
impartial third-party, in a manner which protects the confidentiality
of the reporting entity. AMS is in the best position to provide this
service.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average .0333 hours per response.
Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, individuals or
households, farms, and the Federal Government.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 202.
Estimated Number of Responses: 3864.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 19.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 129 hours.
Comments are invited on: (1) 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; (2) 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; (3) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Jimmy A. Beard;
Assistant to the Chief; Livestock and Grain Market News Branch,
Livestock and Seed Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture; 1400 Independence Ave; STOP 0252; Room 2619-
S; Washington, DC 20250-0252; Phone (202) 720-8054; Fax (202) 690-3732;
or e-mailed to marketnewscomment@usda.gov. All comments received will
be available for public inspection at this address during the hours of
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsmnpubs.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments
will become a matter of public record.
Dated: April 14, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7764 Filed 4-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P