0153-honey-06-SSB.wpd

Supporting Statement – Part B

HONEY SURVEY

OMB No. 0535-0153

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

All production, stocks, and price estimates are defined to include beekeepers with five or more colonies which produce honey. Excluding operators with fewer than five colonies keeps list building to a reasonable level and covers almost all honey sales.

The universe is stratified by size groups. States enumerate all large producers and those with cross-state operations. The remaining producers are sampled. NASS has well-established, long-term relationships with the larger operations and respondents are familiar with the instrument and purposes of the survey so there is a good response rate. Universe size, sample size, and response rates for each of the last three surveys are shown in the table below.

Counts and Response Rates for Last Three Years
Year	Universe	Sample	Usable Responses
			Mail	Telephone	Interview	Total Response	Response Rate %
2003	7,663	5,699	2,043	2,403	44	4,490	78.8
2004	8,900	7,928	3,001	3,705	82	6,788	85.6
2005	8,418	5,281	1,647	2,681	139	4,467	84.6

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• estimation procedure,

• degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

• unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures

The sample design methodology associated with the Bee and Honey Survey is a basic stratified sample design, where the strata are based primarily on the number of colonies per operation (as shown on our list frame). Strata boundaries vary by State, depending on the distribution and size of operations. The survey is conducted in all States except Alaska. Most States have 300 or fewer operations, so in these States, all eligible operations are included in the Bee and Honey Sample.

Questionnaires are mailed about December 12 and data collection is completed by late January to reflect December 15 honey stocks. Beekeepers not responding by mail within 2 weeks are contacted by telephone or in person. The telephone enumerators conduct the interviews using computer assisted telephone interviews (BLAISE). In-person contacts are used if requested by the operator or if there were reporting difficulties such as with cross-State producers. Headquarters acts as the clearing house for multi-State data from FO’s.

Summarization and preparation of estimates by FO’s are completed by early February and sent to Headquarters. Survey estimates are based primarily on a direct expansion indications. Summarization also includes matching the current year's report to the comparable report received the previous year to calculate a ratio; this ratio applied to the year earlier estimate of colony numbers to provide an indication of the current number of colonies.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Most states have lists of beekeepers in the Office of the State Apiarist. These lists have been reasonably complete and up-to-date in the past. Beekeeper lists are also received from trade groups and other government agencies. Maintenance of names and control data provide for an efficient list sampling frame. With non-response follow-ups the resulting estimates provide reliable and useable measures of this industry. We have a very good overall response rate. The largest non-response farms are estimated individually.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

No test of procedures is proposed for this survey.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

The sample size for each State is determined by the Sampling Branch, Census and Survey Division; Branch Chief is William Iwig, (202)720-3895.

List sampling frame maintenance and data collection are carried out by NASS Field Offices; Deputy Administrator for Field Operations is Marshall Dantzler, (202)720-3638.

The NASS commodity statistician in Headquarters for the bee and honey survey is Sharyn Lavender, (202)720-3244, in the Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section of the Livestock Branch, Statistics Division. She is responsible for coordination of sampling, questionnaires, data collection, multi-State data, the Estimation Manual, and other FO support. She is also responsible for analysis and publication.

The national summary is the responsibility of the Statistical Methods Branch, Statistics Division; Branch Chief is Dave Aune, (202)720-4008.

July 2006

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