SS Part B

Part B.

1. Describe the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used.

The potential respondent universe of the NAHRS is the State veterinarian¹ in each of the 50 States. There will be no sampling; this is a census. Based on past participation, 48 States regularly participate, and of those that do participate, 100 percent of the 48 respond every month. Therefore, APHIS expects 48 States to respond each month.

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

0. Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection:

There will be no stratification. This data collection is a census.

0. Estimation Procedure:

The reports are compiled to determine national presence or absence of disease. If any State reports a disease, it is present for the U.S. Cumulative reports are also compiled at the State and national level.

0. Degree of Accuracy Needed:

Since this is a census, there is no sampling error. Accuracy will be affected by non-response and non-sampling errors only.

0. Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures and data collection cycles:

Past efforts to collect data on animal health, productivity, and profitability have revealed that recall bias is very important. The original data collection cycle was set to be quarterly, however States decided monthly collection cycles would ease burden and allow for more accurate reports. Therefore, monthly data collection cycles are most desirable.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response:

Maximizing Response Rates:

• Collection of data will be minimized to that which is absolutely necessary.

0. Respondents are offered the option of acquiring and submitting forms electronically via the World Wide Web.

0. States are reminded monthly of NAHRS reports if there is no response received by the 30th of the month.

0. There are several benefits to participating States which include:

▪ Improved and expanded animal disease reporting infrastructure;

▪ Demonstrated State-Federal disease surveillance and reporting relationship which in the long run helps to protect international trade benefiting agriculture in the States.

Dealing with Non-Response:

• State reporting status is reviewed monthly by the NAHRS coordinator using the NAHRS Online Reporting Application.

• States that have not participated are sent a reminder email from the NAHRS coordinator.

• At the end of the calendar year, each State’s contact person is sent a letter indicating the months that NAHRS reports were missed.

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

The NAHRS methods were pre-tested on less than 10 respondents. Results of the pretests were used to refine the information collection in order to reduce respondent burden and improve the usefulness of the information.

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

The statistical aspects of the design were coordinated by Dr. Marta Remmenga, Statistician, with the APHIS staff in Fort Collins, CO, at (970) 494-7359.

Contact persons for data collection are:

A. USDA:

- Dr. Stanley Bruntz, VMO-Epidemiologist, National Surveillance Unit, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (970) 494-7246.

B. Federal Veterinarians:

- Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services,

USDA - APHIS, Washington, DC (202) 447-6835.

Analysis of the data will be accomplished by NSU veterinarians, epidemiologists, agricultural economists and statisticians under the direction of Dr. Aaron Scott,

Leader, National Surveillance Unit, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117, telephone (970) 494-7249, fax (970) 494-7174.

References:

United States Animal Health Association. Report of the Committee on Animal Health Information Systems. October, 2000.

Office International des Epizooties. “OIE Classification: Diseases Notifiable to the OIE.

http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/en_classification.htm

NAHRS Web Site: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs

1 The State veterinarian is responsible for reporting on the presence/absence of disease. Depending on workloads, the State veterinarian may delegate this responsibility to the assistant State veterinarian, lab director, or other individual to complete and return the NAHRS report to the coordinator.

3 2/3/2021