Non-substantive Change Request

Non-substantive Change Request

0535-0218 – ARMS and Chemical Use Surveys

In 2014 there are several minor changes that have been made to the questionnaires being used for ARMS 1 and 2, along with the Vegetable Chemical Use Survey. These changes are non-substantive and are merely for adding clarity to the data series. The ARMS questionnaires and Chemical Use surveys are normally adjusted each year to accommodate changes within the farming industry. For example in the Respondent Booklets we list the various chemicals that farmers use in their crop production practices. Each year we will need to include or exclude certain chemicals that have been developed or discontinued to keep up with the farming industry or changes with EPA approved chemicals.

The Vegetable Chemical Use survey in Supporting Statement, Part A, Item 12, was originally listed as a 2013 survey. Due to the sequestration the survey was postponed until 2014.

In addition, in 2015 NASS will be conducting the Tenure, Ownership and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey (0535-0240). Due to similarities between this survey and the ARMS 3 data series, the ARMS 3 survey will be suspended for one year. The TOTAL survey will also reduce the number of questions that will be asked in the ARMS 2 survey in 2014. The burden on the ARMS 2 survey will be reduced to 35 minutes from the current 65 minutes. These non-substantive changes will reduce the overall annual average respondent burden by 16,704 hours.