0004-poult-12-SSA

Supporting Statement

POULTRY SURVEYS

OMB No. 0535-0004

TERMS OF CLEARANCE

Date 12/28/2010

TERMS OF CLEARANCE: Terms of the previous clearance remain in effect. Prior to the commencement of the Egg, Chicken and Turkey Surveys revised forms distribution, the National Agricultural Statistics Service shall provide on its Internet site prominent links to directions on how to obtain a set of finalized survey forms, including instructions and cover letters, comparable to those provided for the 2007 Census of Agriculture report forms. The final forms and letters shall reflect any changes in the survey year, OMB number expiration date, and NASS leadership from those submitted for review.

NASS has created the following link that will allow the public to request blank copies of any of the questionnaires, publicity materials or publications produced or used by NASS.

http://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Request_for_Survey_Form/index.php

This docket is being submitted for revision and extension of three years.

A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.

The primary function of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to prepare and issue current official State and national estimates of crop and livestock production, disposition, and prices. Thousands of farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and others voluntarily respond to nationwide surveys about their agricultural activities. Estimates of egg, chicken, and turkey production are an integral part of this program.

General authority for these data collection activities is granted under U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2204. This statue specifies that "The Secretary of Agriculture shall procure and preserve all information concerning agriculture which he can obtain ... by the collection of statistics ... and shall distribute them among agriculturists."

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

Information published from the surveys in this docket is needed by USDA economists and government policy makers to ensure the orderly marketing of broiler chickens, turkeys, and eggs. Statistics on these poultry products contribute to a comprehensive program of keeping the government and poultry industry abreast of changes.

The poultry reports are used by producers, processors, feed dealers, and others in the marketing and supply channels as a basis for their production and marketing decisions. Government agencies use these estimates to evaluate poultry product supplies. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) uses as check data for their published data on daily and weekly slaughter, egg movements, and market conditions. AMS also uses NASS data in their decision-making process when buying poultry and eggs for the school lunch program. Similarly, the data are used by Department of Defense when buying poultry and eggs for the U.S. military. The Foreign Agricultural Service uses NASS data when designing Market Promotion Programs and other export assistance programs. The Farm Service Agency uses poultry data in models to estimate feed use when designing grain programs.

These data are also used by the Economic Research Service and the World Agricultural Outlook Board to compute balance sheets for the Agricultural Situation and Outlook reports. Land Grant Universities also use the data, especially the Poultry Science Departments. The data is used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service as check data for slaughter data, to plan food inspections services, and in their annual report to Congress. The data are used by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to plan the scope of their work. Data are used by the American Egg Board to administer the marketing order assessment program. Poultry data are used in the decision-making process for environmental concerns by the Environmental Protection Agency, State governments, the Poultry Water Quality Consortium, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Many State, county, and township governments use poultry data for economic analysis and economic development programs and loans.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

All but one of the surveys included in this docket are available on the internet. The December Livestock Survey, which will collect chicken and egg data in December, is under development and should be available for internet in the future.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service cooperates with State Departments of Agriculture and land grant universities to conduct agricultural surveys. This eliminates data gathering by more than one agency. NASS constantly builds and maintains a list sampling frame which contains egg, chicken, and turkey control data. The name, address, and telephone number(s) of operations and individuals are continuously monitored to eliminate duplication in this frame.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities (Item 5 of OMB Form 83-I), describe any methods used to minimize burden.

Information requested can be provided with a minimum of difficulty from normal operating records.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Poultry and egg numbers (unlike cattle and hogs, for example) can change rapidly because of the short reproductive cycles. Collecting information less frequently would erode our list frame, result in a decreased knowledge of production levels in the poultry industry, and eliminate data needed to keep Federal and State governments, agribusiness suppliers, and other data users abreast of changes within this industry.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the general information guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.

There are no special circumstances associated with this survey.

8. Provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8 (d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.

The Notice soliciting comments was published in the Federal Register on April 25, 2012, on pages 24677 - 24678. Three public comments were received which are attached to this renewal request.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

State Field Office and Headquarters personnel frequently meet with other governmental agencies such as the Agricultural Marketing Service, World Agricultural Outlook Board, extension agents, cooperatives, and trade associations. Statisticians also keep in touch with private agricultural groups by attending their meetings whenever possible. Data Users Meetings are held each year as part of the effort by the NASS to obtain input from a cross-section of agricultural interests.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents.

There are no payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

All questionnaires include a statement that individual reports are kept confidential. U.S. Code Title 18, Section 1905 and U.S. Code Title 7, Section 2276 provide for the confidentiality of reported information. All employees of NASS and all enumerators hired and supervised under a cooperative agreement with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) must read these regulations and sign a statement of compliance annually.

Additionally, NASS and NASS contractors comply with OMB Implementation Guidance, “Implementation Guidance for Title V of the E-Government Act, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA), (Public Law 107-347). CIPSEA supports NASS’ pledge of confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency’s efforts to reduce burden by supporting statistical activities of collaborative agencies through designation of NASS agents; subject to the limitations and penalties described in CIPSEA.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature.

There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens in Item 13 of OMB Form 83-I. Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.

Burden hours for the poultry surveys are shown below. Minutes-per-response estimates were obtained by asking and monitoring respondents.

Reporting time of 3,675 hours is multiplied by estimated $24 per hour for a total cost to the public of $88,200.

13. Provide estimates of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of information, (do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in items 12 and 14). The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component annualized over its expected useful life; and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component.

There are no capital/start-up or ongoing operation/maintenance costs associated with this information collection.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government; provide a description of the method used to estimate cost which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses, and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

The total cost to the federal government for the Egg, Chicken, and Turkey Surveys is approximately $1,900,000. Almost all of it goes for Federal personnel wages ($1,875,000) and benefits. The agency also reimburses the State Field Offices (FOs) about $22,000 for work of State-employed enumerators under the NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture) Memorandum of Understanding. About $3,000 is used for printing, supplies, postage, computer processing, and similar items.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14 of the OMB Form 83-I (reasons for changes in burden).

The decrease in number of respondents and respondent burden in the current docket is due to multiple factors, with the largest of these being program changes. The program changes include the standardizing of questionnaires, improved sampling, and removal of several surveys, these program changes have resulted in a reduction of 12,727 responses and 1,393 hours of burden. Changes due to adjustments in agency estimates result in a reduction of 4,735 responses and 444 hours of burden.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

Weekly broiler hatchery data are collected by State Field Offices (FOs) from questionnaires mailed each week. Data are for the week-ending Saturday. Any reports not received by the following Monday are followed up by telephone or personal interview. Each FO summarizes the data and sends a report to Washington, D.C., Headquarters by Wednesday. After national information is summarized and reviewed by the statisticians in the Poultry Section, it is released to the public the same day in the Broiler Hatchery report, as described in the table below. (A calendar of all NASS publication dates is prepared and distributed before the first of each year.) The Broiler Hatchery report can be found on the Web at:

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1010.

Monthly chicken hatchery, chicken and egg growers, and turkey hatchery survey data are collected by FOs from questionnaires mailed to respondents near the end of the reference month and returned early the following month. Survey data and State FO statistician recommendations are sent to Headquarters by the middle of the following month. Data are summarized and published about the 22^nd in the monthly Chickens and Eggs:

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1028,

or about the 15^th in the monthly Turkey Hatchery:

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1176.

The monthly breeder chicken survey is conducted from the Poultry Section in Headquarters. This specialized data is collected from the leading breeders who usually have facilities in several States. The data is collected at the national level only and is also published in the monthly Chickens and Eggs release.

Semi-Annual turkeys raised data are collected primarily by questionnaires mailed to producers on September 1 and on February 1. Telephone follow-up interviews are conducted of non-respondents in mid September and mid February to meet published release dates. The September data is published in the Turkeys Raised release at the end of September.

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1498.

The February data is published in the Poultry Production & Value annual summary in April.

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1130

Annual hatchery capacity, chicken hatchery, and chicken and egg grower’s data are collected primarily by questionnaires mailed in late December. Telephone follow-ups are completed in January to meet the various due-dates. The annual publications are Hatchery Production:

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1499,

Chickens and Eggs Annual Summary:

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1509,

and include data from the year-long monthly surveys.

Poultry data are also published in: Poultry Production and Value annual summary in April,

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1130,

the Agricultural Prices report (monthly),

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1003,

and in the Cold Storage monthly and annual reports.

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1034,

The Poultry Slaughter release consisting of data received electronically from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) (monthly).

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1131.

All of the NASS releases are available from the agency website

http://www.nass.usda.gov/.

In addition, NASS has issued three special reports:

U.S. Broiler Industry Structure (November 2002),

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1480,

U.S. Broiler and Egg Production Cycles (September 2005),

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1630,

and Overview of the U.S. Turkey Industry (November 2007),

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1762,

that are available only on the Internet. The short industry structure report is particularly interesting, showing the dramatic rise in production of poultry raised for meat and surprising comparison with other livestock.

Data Collection and Publication
Survey	Data Collection			Publication
	Timing	Survey Period	Reference Date	Date of Release	Name of Release (and attachment)
Hatchery Capacity	Annual	Jan	Jan 1st	Apr 15th -19th	Annual Hatchery Production
Placement of Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply Flocks	Monthly	10th -22nd	Previous month	Monthly: around the 22nd of each month, and annually: mid-April	Monthly Chickens and Eggs,
					Annual Hatchery Production
Chicken Hatcheries	Weekly	Sat -Tues	Previous week ending on Saturday	Weekly: Wed.	Weekly - Broiler Hatchery,
	Monthly	1st -18th	Previous month	Around the 22nd	Monthly Chickens and Eggs
Chicken and Egg Growers	Dec	1st-15th	First of the month and previous month	Around the 22nd	Monthly Chickens and Eggs
	Jan-Nov				Chicken and Eggs Annual Summary
Turkey Hatcheries	Monthly	1st-12th	First of the month and previous month	Around the 15th	Monthly Turkey Hatchery,
				Mid April	Annual Hatchery Production
Turkeys Raised	Semi-Annual	Feb.	Previous year	April	Poultry Production and Values
		Sept	Current year	September	Turkeys Raised

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

There is no request for approval of non-display of the expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in Item 19, “Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions” of OMB Form 83-I.

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

August 2012