NEW - CAIR - SSA - June 2014

1Supporting Statement

CURRENT AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIAL REPORTS (CAIR)

OMB No. 0535-NEW

A. JUSTIFICATION

The Current Industrial Reports (CIR) program (0607-0476) was previously conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and was discontinued on April 30, 2012. The U.S. Census Bureau approval was for 47 different surveys. These previous industrial reports included a wide range of surveys that included commodities from the following commodity groups: agriculture, aerospace, appliances, pharmaceuticals, textiles and many more. NASS is requesting the authority to reinstate eight data collection instruments previously used by the Census Bureau. NASS will be adding on an extra group of questionnaires that will be used as a screening/profiler to determine which questionnaire(s) to send to each organization included in the sample and which operations need to be removed from the sample. There are 6 versions of the profile questionnaires. NASS will also be separating the ethanol production questionnaire into a wet mill and a dry mill version and expanding these to include the different types of alcohol produced instead of just ethanol. These surveys will be referred to collectively as the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) in the remainder of this submission. Data from these instruments will be used to generate four separate publications.

The data from the CAIR surveys will supply data users with important information on the utilization of many of the crops, livestock, and poultry produced in the United States. NASS currently collects crop data on acres planted and harvested, production, price and stocks for these crops (grains, oilseeds, cotton, nuts, olives, etc.), along with livestock data on the number of animals and poultry produced, slaughtered, prices, and the amount of meat kept in cold storage. This new data series will provide data users with vital information on how much of these commodities were processed into fuels, cooking oils, flour, fabric, etc. These data are needed to provide a more complete picture of the importance of agriculture to the American population.

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.

Data that will be collected by this group of surveys is vital to numerous agricultural industries, which includes, but is not limited to, farmers, ranchers, millers, weavers, processors, elevators, brokers, analysts, importers, exporters, refiners, chemists, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. In order to restore the transparency needed to provide stability to the production, marketing and storing of food, fiber, fuel, and numerous consumer goods these surveys must be conducted. Some of these surveys have been conducted for over 100 years by the Department of Commerce’s Census Bureau. On April 30, 2012 when these surveys were discontinued a tremendous void was created in available information to these data users. Item 8 below includes excerpts of correspondence NASS has received from data users requesting the reinstatement of these surveys. The complete comments are attached to this submission.

The CAIR surveys will become an integral part of the 2012 Census of Agriculture and numerous other surveys conducted by NASS. Under the authority of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-113) participation in these surveys will be mandatory. This law requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a census of agriculture in 2002 and every fifth year thereafter (prior to 1997 the census was conducted by the Department of Commerce). The CAIR surveys will be conducted as follow-on surveys and will be conducted on relatively the same frequency and schedule as used by the Department of Commerce. The frequency of each survey is listed in Item 12 below.

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.

This is a new data collection for NASS. Previously this group of surveys was conducted by the Commerce Department.

Data from these surveys is essential to measuring the consumption of agricultural products in the production of numerous consumer goods. Agricultural products such as grain, oilseeds, fibers, and animal co-products are used in the creation of cooking oils, flour, lubricants, fuel, fabrics, soap, paint, methyl esters, resins, and numerous other products.

NASS had held numerous meetings with the World Agricultural Outlook Board and the USDA Economic Resource Service (ERS) to discuss the needs of this data for many of their economic models. This data is also essential to the manufacturers of the products mentioned above as well as warehouse operations, shippers, marketers, and consumers who handle or use these products.

The absence of the CAIR data has already had an impact on government policy decisions as well as economic impact on the producers and consumers of these products. Federal programs, legislation, and impact studies would be subject to greater uncertainty and error without reliable data to base their decisions on.

This data is also very useful to financial institutions and commodity traders in their decision making processes.

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.

The initial operation profiles will be conducted primarily by mail with some face to face interviews. All of the monthly and quarterly surveys will be available on the internet through our Electronic Data Reporting (EDR) system. NASS will also make the monthly/quarterly questionnaires available by fax, mail, telephone and personal interview. NASS will strongly encourage the respondents to use our password protected EDR system, but we will accommodate the respondents preferred method of reporting.

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 questionnaires that are contained in this docket were part of the Current Industrial Reports (0607-0476) data collection package conducted by the US Census Bureau. The entire package of questionnaires was discontinued in April 2012, along with all related data publications. This was done in response to budget cuts. NASS has been approved to resume some of the agricultural related surveys in calendar year 2014.

As a part of NASS’s standardization process we have had numerous meetings with data users to see if comparable data are available. The surveys that are included in this docket will gather data on a regular basis that is not currently available to the general public. The questionnaires that NASS will be using have been modified to remove any questions previously used by the Census Bureau that data users have deemed no longer necessary or were available from other sources.

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.

NASS has designed the CAIR questionnaires with the goal of minimizing overall respondent burden. CAIR will utilize an Operation Profile/screener questionnaire to identify which businesses should be included in each of the surveys attached to this docket and which operations do not qualify for any of these surveys. A complete census will be conducted of the entire population that qualifies for these surveys.

NASS has met with numerous data users to determine exactly which questions need to be asked to collect the data needed by them. Great care has been taken to insure that the wording and layout of the questionnaires is as user friendly as possible. The questionnaires will be available on the internet. Respondents will be able to call one of our toll-free telephone numbers if they have any questions or problems with filling out the questionnaires. If the respondent prefers to complete the questionnaire by fax, phone or in a face to face interview we will accommodate their needs to minimize burden as much as possible.

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.

The US Census Bureau has collected and reported data for some of the Current Industrial Reports for over 100 years. In 2012 they discontinued the full scope of these surveys due to budget cuts. These previous industrial reports included a wide range of surveys that included commodities from the following commodity groups: agriculture, aerospace, appliances, pharmaceuticals, textiles and many more. NASS is requesting the authority to reinstate eight data collection instruments previously used by the Census Bureau that cover the commodity groups of fats and oils (production, consumption, stocks and oilseed crushings), flour milling, and cotton consumption and stocks. NASS will also be separating the ethanol production questionnaire into a wet mill and a dry mill version and expanding the scope of it to include all types of alcohol for a total of nine data collection instruments. In addition NASS will be adding a profiler/screener questionnaire that consist of six versions and will be used to determine which questionnaire(s) will be sent to each organization included in the final sample.

Due to the rapidly changing nature of these industries the surveys will be conducted on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis (depending upon the survey), with published data being provided to all data users on a regularly scheduled basis. This data is essential for day to day operations of these businesses. The data are also needed by economists, commodity traders, business analysts and numerous other data users.

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 information collection.

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 May 2, 2013 on pages 25695 - 25697. NASS received 24 public comments. The complete comments and any responses to these letters are attached to this submission.

1. Dave Reeble, Pres. of Moving Parts L.L.C. Mr. Reeble is strongly in favor of this survey endeavor and says that this information is vital to his industry.

2. Dennis Maxfield of Trade News Service. Mr. Maxfield said “Without this information, which had been published monthly for almost 100 years, it is our opinion that anyone trying to analyze the fats and oils markets would not be able to produce accurate supply and demand reports.” Mr. Maxfield also provided NASS with several suggestions and items to consider for improving the questionnaires.

3. Michael Hubbard, Vice President of the National Council of Textile Organizations. His council is in favor of the reinstatement of these surveys. His group has proposed several interesting items for NASS to consider while we develop the questionnaires and publications.

4. Bill Tierney, Chief Economist of the AgResource Company writes “The monthly agricultural industrial reports that were conducted by the Census were absolutely essential to the USs and global agricultural industry. They were important in accurately determining industrial use of important agricultural commodities (e.g. corn, soybeans, etc.).  I strongly urge that funds be allocated so that NASS can renew reporting on these commodities.”

5. Diana Klemme, Vice President of Grain Service Corp. writes “Our firm certainly supports the return of the Census Soybean crush report; this is key data on consumption of a major US crop.  Since the discontinuation of this report, the only available data has been the somewhat correlated National Oilseed Processors Assn monthly crush, but that data is now only available immediately to paid subscribers of an expensive Reuters feed.    Other news services are shut out, and the news that most farmers might have access to is one that's shut out of immediate access.”

6. Bill Nelson of the Doane Advisory Services writes “I am in support of the Intent to Seek Approval to Conduct a New Information Collection. The ability to understand developments in the Oilseed processing industry and the Cotton industry were severely crippled by the demise of the Census Bureau reports found in the Notice. This contributes to increased price volatility and reduces the accuracy and reliability of the current system, which still attempts to address these information needs. “

7. Robert Wisner, Univ. Professor, Iowa State University writes “I strongly support the National Agricultural Statistics Service new information collection proposal for 2013 Current Agricultural Industrial reports. The loss of these reports has created a major gap in information needed to analyze the demand for important agricultural and biofuel products.”

8. Andrew Foote of Wilton, Connecticut supports the reinstatement of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports.

9. Alexis Maxwell of CF Industries asks that NASS resume the Corn, Wet and Dry Mill Producers of Ethanol survey along with the Oilseeds, Beans, and Nuts Primary Processors survey.

10. Mark Lange, President and CEO of National Cotton Council of America writes “The National Cotton Council (NCC) is pleased to submit comments in support of NASS’s request to reinstate eight data collection instruments previously used by the Census Bureau. The NCC is the central organization of the U.S. cotton industry representing producers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, cooperatives, textile manufacturers, and cottonseed processors and merchandisers in 17 states stretching from California to Virginia. While each of the eight surveys is important to U.S. agricultural interests, we will address our comments to the importance of resuming the survey ‘Consumption on the Cotton System and Stocks.’ When coupled with existing reports on cotton production and exports, accurate data on cotton consumed by U.S. mills and the stocks held in the U.S. provide a complete picture of the cotton balance sheet.” Mr. Lange goes on to propose some possible changes to the questionnaire that NASS will take under advisement.

11. Olivier Gross, Research Analyst – oilseeds writes “I am all in favor of releasing this much-missed information, and agree with the proposed changes of NASS for that report.”

12. John Stewart, President of Stewart Management and Consulting, Inc. writes “I strongly support the collection and publication by USDA NASS of monthly data showing oilseed crushings together with the production and stocks of vegetable oils and protein meals. The US soybean crop, which is the principal oilseed, is valued in excess of 35 billion dollars.

Valid price discovery of the soybean crop and its products depends on accurate supply and demand data. The largest component in the soybean demand table is the quantity of soybeans crushed to produce meal and oil. Soybean meal is the principal source of vegetable protein for US livestock producers. Soybean oil is the major vegetable oil consumed in this country. The supply and stocks data for soybean meal and soybean oil can only come from a survey of crushers. Since the Census Bureau stopped producing its Fats and Oils Oilseeds Crushings report, the market has had no independent source to provide this data. Users are at a considerable disadvantage compared to the large processors in making pricing decisions.”

13. Janice Kincheloe, Account Executive at TENCO, RAND Division writes “The industry needs the CENSUS crush data once issued each month for soybeans and other oilseeds. This year has been defined by bigger than expected soymeal usage for export and domestic. The official crush data would have made it so much easier for the industry to track meal consumption. We have NOPA data and it is the only data we have to determine crush levels---but it has been difficult. Many thanks for considering this request.”

14. John Baize, President of John C. Baize and Associates writes “I hereby offer my strong support of the National Agricultural Statistic Service to begin collecting information on the production, consumption and stocks of oilseeds, fats and oils as specified in the Federal Register Notice of May 2, 2013. As an analyst of the oilseeds sector having access to the information previously reported on a monthly basis by the US Census Bureau would be very helpful. I believe it is important to have this information publicly available to allow for better price discovery by the market.”

15. Athena Elias, Associate Corporate Counsel of Minneapolis Grain Exchange writes “The Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX or Exchange) submits this letter in support of the proposed reinstatement of certain data collection instruments, particularly with respect to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Flour Milling Products survey (Flour Report).

MGEX, as the principle market for trading Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRSW) derivatives and the location of the world’s largest cash trading market for HRSW, encourages the reinstatement of the Flour Report as it provides market participants in the commodities industry with a useful and reliable source of information.” Ms. Elias goes on to recommend the breakout within the Flour Report of wheat by classes.

16. Jerry Gidel, of Rice Dairy, LLC, writes “Without this data, independent market participants (U.S. grain, oilseed and cotton producers along with investors in these markets) have been at a disadvantage in knowledge concerning important domestic demand levels that were available only to the commercial participants.  To improve market knowledge on an ongoing basis and help reduce volatility caused by this data not being available until quarterly or annual reports revealed unexpected changes in our domestic stock levels, it’s highly important that these reports are resumed, to level the playing fields for all participants.”

17. Dale Durchholz of Agrivisor, LLC writes “With the volatility we have in commodity markets today because of evolving demand and the volatility in weather/production, having better insight into any aspect of the supply/demand structure helps eliminate uncertainty, dampening unnecessary volatility, helping contain raw material and finished product prices in the food/fiber industries.” Mr. Durchhoz discusses several other issues in his letter.

18. Daniel Hiller, a farmer from Ohio writes “I have used the information from this report to monitor the swings in the domestic edible oil market over time. The changes have made me look for the reasons for the changes which in turn have me looking at changing the crops I grow to meet the ongoing changes. For this reason alone, this report gives directions on what new crops will be needed to keep farmers producing what the consumers demand in the future.

Without this report the quality improvements needed in soybean oil would have taken much longer to identify delaying the introduction of the newer quality oil lines from the Iowa State breeding program.

Please bring this report back as soon as possible.”

19. Don Close of Rabo AgriFinance writes “In regards to the open comment period on restoring USDA reports. It is critically important that USDA restore the livestock and grain reports that were dropped this year. The crush reports, and grain milling reports and USDA Mid-year Cattle Inventory report provide information that is pertinent to properly functioning markets.

As you are aware there is a huge issue with the contraction of market participants and reporting on agriculture markets. If it were not for the integrity of USDA Market News and NASS only a select few of large corporate and International agri-businesses will have information. Farmers, elevators and small agribusiness will be placed out of position and at an even greater market disadvantage without the continuation and renewal of quality market data and price reporting.”

20. Danny Murphy, President of the American Soybean Association addresses numerous issues in his letter supporting the reinstatement of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports. In his letter he writes “The M311J and M311K Oilseed and Oilseed Products reports previously conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau provided data on production and usage trends in the domestic fats, oils and protein meal markets. These reports were utilized in many ways and are important to government agencies, private industry and futures markets. The information contained in these reports does not exist elsewhere, except in incomplete form, and cannot be easily replicated by another entity.

The Census Bureau data products terminated as of July 2011 served as the benchmark for information. The Census Bureau cited the availability of manufacturing data from the Annual Survey of Manufactures and the 5-Year Economic Census to mitigate the loss of the data products. Unfortunately, the quantity of commodities such as soybeans processed, and the volume of soybean meal and oil produced and available cannot be ascertained from the remaining Census materials.

M311N – Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils (Production, Consumption and Stocks) ASA and the biodiesel industry would benefit from having segregated information on the individual amounts of animal and vegetable fats and oils that are used for different inedible use purposes.

There are currently few sources of aggregated feedstock usage data for industrial and biobased products such as the biodiesel industry. This information, when reported routinely, would be beneficial. The aggregation of fats and oils consumed in soap, paint, animal feeds, methyl esters, resins, and lubricants to a classification of “Total Inedible Use” would diminish the feedstock analyses of these products/uses at a time when market sensitivities are high and calls are made from industry and government stakeholders to address impacts of potential regulatory, legislative, and market transitions. Restricted public information could also lead to concentrated market power among few groups with access to otherwise unattainable information.”

21. Anne Steckel, Vic President of Federal Affairs National Biodiesel Board writes “The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is writing to express our support for the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a new information collection that would include the 2013 Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR).

NASS is an impartial entity that has the ability to collect data on fats, oils and oilseeds an important feedstock component of many industries. The information does not exist elsewhere, except in incomplete form, and cannot be easily replicated by any other entity. Information from the completed reports will be utilized in many ways and is important to government agencies, the private sector and future markets.

The availability of this information, especially in the current environment of tight stocks and increased commodity prices, would reduce uncertainty for biodiesel producers nationwide. The vacuum of information on production and usage rates, of fats and oils and protein meals results in an increased level of price risk and uncertainty. These reports are invaluable because they provide vital data to commodity market participants and ensure better transparency within the marketplace.

The National Biodiesel Board appreciates the opportunity to comment and to support the proposal for NASS to conduct a new information collection, the 2013 Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR).”

22. David Lyons, Vice President, Government Relations, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, LLC, writes “These numbers are all important for market transparency. We believe this information should be collected and the aggregate results made publicly available for all industry participants to incorporate in their decisions.” Mr. Lyons also provides several examples of some changes he would like to see incorporated into the data collection.

23. The C-FARE Board of Directors writes “We encourage NASS to work with industry stakeholders in an ongoing and collaborative manner to adjust the survey instruments and utilize categories of suggested data collections that are directly linked to trade industry standards and definitions. Some general terminologies may allow for grouping of data useful to depicting information for an audience seeking broad information. However, the usefulness of the data for industry participants, regulatory authorities, and legislative analyses requires that generally accepted trade standards and definitions guide the data stratification.

C-FARE supports the collection of the data and subsequent public reports. These industries are an important part of the U.S. agricultural economy. Yet, even with the reinstatement of these important reports, they already face large market-related information gaps.”

24. William G. Lapp, President of Advanced Economic Solutions, writes

“Commodity markets are by nature extremely volatile, and the current lack of information has created additional uncertainty. Since April 2012, the discontinuation of the reporting by the Census Bureau has had several adverse implications for end-users and producers of oilseeds and oilseed products, including:

• The lack of information about monthly soybean crushings (previously found in the “M311J” report) has resulted in greater uncertainty about soybeans demand and overall US soybean stocks levels

• The lack of information about monthly vegetable oil consumption and stocks (previously found in the “M311K” report) has resulted in greater uncertainty about demand and overall availability of soyoil and other vegoil stocks.

• The lack of information about quarterly flour production and usage (previously found in the “MQ311A” report) has resulted in greater uncertainty about wheat flour demand and consumption trend.

The proposal indicates that the new CAIR reports would additionally provide more detailed information regarding the usage of different classes of wheat. This has been a missing piece of data that would fill a void, and be very useful for market participants including end-users (flour millers, bakers, etc.) as well as farmers.

AES and its clients have been very concerned about the lack of data that, until April 2012, was collected and reported by Census. The resumption of the CAIR reports would fill the informational void, and would be a welcome data point for the market to better estimate availability of key inputs and manage price risk.”

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 record-keeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

The Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics reviews all of the Census of Agriculture programs and provides recommendations on content, forms design, methodology, outreach, publications, etc. The Committee, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, consists of 25 members representing a broad range of interests, including agricultural economists, rural sociologists, farm policy analysts, educators, State agriculture representatives, agriculture-related business and marketing experts, and members of major farm organizations. The committee meets once or twice a year but frequent communication with the members is maintained; the most recent meeting was November 13 – 14, 2013.

Extensive correspondence, discussions, and meetings took place during 2013 with representatives from the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) including Keith Menzie, Jerry Norton, and Carol Skelly. NASS also met with Mark Ash, Linwood Hoffman, Tom Capehart, and Gary Vocke from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). Both groups have provided a tremendous amount of input and feedback regarding questionnaire content and development.

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. The specific Census of Agriculture citation, Title 7 U.S. Code Section 2204(g), plus Title 18 Section 1905 and 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 the regulations and sign a statement of compliance.

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.

The following CIPSEA Pledge statement will appear on all future NASS questionnaires.

The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection provisions of Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107–347 and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed in identifiable form to anyone other than employees or agents. By law, every employee and agent has taken an oath and is subject to a jail term, a fine, or both if he or she willfully discloses ANY identifiable information about you or your operation.

Minor changes were made to the wording of the pledge so that it would be consistent with NASS procedures.

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.

In determining the length of time it would take to complete each questionnaire NASS began with the time reported by the US Census Bureau who previously conducted these surveys. After meeting with numerous experts to modify the content and flow of the questionnaires; NASS worked with one of our Survey Methodologists to improve the appearance of the questionnaires, then the methodologist determined the number of minutes each questionnaire would take to complete. These numbers are used in the calculation of the total respondent burden. NASS also included burden calculations for the reading of the cover letter, instruction sheet, Electronic Data Reporting (EDR) instructions and a fact sheet, sent to each respondent at the beginning of the survey period.

Cost to the public for completing the questionnaire is assumed to be comparable to the hourly rate of those requesting the data. Average annual reporting time of 20,028 hours, are multiplied by $25 per hour for a total annual cost to the public of $500,700. NASS regularly checks the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics. Mean wage rates for bookkeepers, farm managers, and farm supervisors are averaged to obtain the wage for the burden cost. The May, 2013, mean wage for bookkeepers is $17.91. The mean wage for farm managers is $35.20. The mean wage for farm supervisors is $22.09. The mean wage of the three is $25.07.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or record-keepers resulting from the collection of information.

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 cost to the Federal Government for the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) is included in the 2014 Department of Agriculture Budget. The annual cost of CAIR is estimated at $1,277,000. The approximate cost breakdown is as follows: federal personnel $915,000; NASDA field and phone enumerators $128,000; data processing $213,000; and printing, training, and other miscellaneous costs $21,000.

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).

Since the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports are a new group of surveys to NASS, there are no current inventories of burden hours. From the calculations in A.12, we estimate that 20,028 respondent burden hours will be needed. Respondent burden accounts for respondents who completed the questionnaire, respondents who screen-out and respondents who choose not to respond. The time that is allotted for the publicity materials will cover the time it takes to review an overview of NASS, instructions on how to access the online website to complete the questionnaires, along with a brief discussion about NASS and how this group of surveys were moved from the Dept. of Commerce to the Dept. of Agriculture.

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.

Approximate time schedule for the 2014 - 2015 CAIR:

Questionnaire Design (Drafts for Testing) March 2014

Complete List Building July 2014

Conduct Questionnaire Testing April and May 2014

Questionnaires Finalized June 2014

Target OMB approval date July 1, 2014

Operation Profiles Conducted July – Sept. 2014

Data collection begins Sept. – Oct. 2014

Preliminary summary and publication Late 2014

Monthly surveys and monthly publications Early 2015

To aid telephone and field follow-up by enumerators and office staff, each will receive an Enumerator’s Manual. To aid statisticians in the edit and analysis of reported data, Field Offices will receive a Survey Administration Manual.

The published data will resemble the publications issued by the Commerce Department. The publications will include estimates and the relative standard errors for the estimates for selected characteristics by State and region.

Following the completion of the first round of surveys in 2014, the data will be available on the NASS website.

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

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.

February 2014

Revised June 2014