May 3 -- The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) invites comments to OMB by June 6, 2024 on proposed substantive changes to data collections for Field Crops Production and Fruit, Nuts, & Specialty Crops. [Comments due 30 days after submission to OMB on May 7.] FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-09700.
1) Field Crops Production
The Field Crops Production Program consists of probability field crops surveys and supplemental panel surveys. NASS will use surveys to collect information through a combination of the internet, mail, telephone, and personnel interviews.
NASS is requesting a substantive change to the Field Crops Production information collection request (OMB No. 0535-0002) for program changes. Every five years NASS conducts a program review following the completion of the Census of Agriculture. The program changes in this change request balance resources across all of the programs included in the annual estimating program ensuring NASS' annual statistical program aligns with its appropriation. This substantive change is to accommodate the field crop program changes that affect this ICR.
NASS collects information on field crops to monitor agricultural developments across the country that may impact on the nation's food supply. The Secretary of Agriculture uses estimates of crop production to administer farm program legislation and import and export programs.
The program changes are summarized in the following Agricultural Statistics Board Notices:
-- April 4, 2024 “NASS announces program changes following five-year review” at this link:
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Notices/2024/04-04-2024.php
-- April 9, 2024 “NASS discontinues select 2024 data collection programs and reports” at this link:
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/Notices/2024/04-09-2024.php
In addition to the changes listed above, NASS will no longer be publishing sugarcane acreage, production, and price statistics for Texas. This is due to the permanent closure of Texas’ only sugarmill as reported by the Texas Farm Bureau (
https://texasfarmbureau.org/texas-only-sugar-mill-to-close-permanently/).
Crop Production:
https://www.usda.gov/topics/farming/crop-production
NASS submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202404-0535-005 Click on IC List for survey instruments, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this site.
2) Fruit, Nuts, And Specialty Crops
Estimates of fruit, tree nuts, and specialty crops are an integral part of this program. These estimates support the NASS strategic plan to cover all agricultural cash receipts. Information is collected on a voluntary basis from growers, processors, and handlers through surveys.
NASS is requesting a substantive change to the Fruit, Nuts, And Specialty Crops information collection request (OMB No. 0535-0039) for mushroom program changes. Every five years NASS conducts a program review following the completion of the Census of Agriculture. The program changes balance resources across all of the programs included in the annual estimating program, which represents over 400 individual reports across multiple Information Collection Requests (ICRs). This substantive change is to accommodate substantive changes in data collection on mushrooms and non-substantive changes for maple syrup and table olives. The methodology, publication dates, burden and data collection plan do not change as result of these program changes.
Data reported on fruit, nut, and specialty crops are used by NASS to estimate crop acreage, yield, production, utilization, price, and value in States with significant commercial production. These estimates are essential to farmers, processors, importers and exporters, shipping companies, cold storage facilities and handlers in making production and marketing decisions. Estimates from these inquiries are used by market order administrators in their determination of expected crop supplies under federal and State market orders.
NASS Fruit and Nut Surveys
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Fruits_and_Nuts/index.php
NASS submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202404-0535-007 Click on IC List for survey instruments, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this site.
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806