0220-cotgin-2017-SSB

SUPPORTING STATEMENT – Part B

COTTON GINNINGS

OMB No. 0535-0220

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.

The universe for the Cotton Ginnings program consists of all cotton gins in the 17 program states. This is a census: all operations will be selected for the survey. Response rates for the 2015-16 marketing season are shown in the table below. In Supporting Statement Part A, Item 12, we mention the End of Season or final survey; that questionnaire is mailed out to each operation as they conclude their ginnings for the season. In the table below these final surveys are summed up and the data is published in May.

NASS does not calculate a monthly coverage rate for the gins reporting data, however, for the year, the coverage rate is comparable to the contact rates. The ginning capacity is relatively uniform across the industry.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information.

The respondent universe for the Cotton Ginnings program consists of all cotton gins in the 17 program states. No sampling is used. All operating gins, are mailed a letter and Web instructions at the beginning of the season. Operations that will not gin cotton this season or who have dismantled their equipment will be removed from the sample for the current year. During the crop year each gin receives a questionnaire on which to enter summary data for the current monthly or semi-monthly period. Contacts conclude when ginning is completed for the season. All operations will receive a final questionnaire by March.

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.

The USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) maintains a list of names and addresses of gins. Their list is annually matched and reconciled with the existing NASS List Frame. Maintenance of names and control data provide for an efficient sampling frame.

NASS Field Offices conduct non-response telephone follow-up calls each month to achieve an annual response rate of 95 percent. NASS commodity statisticians also stay in close contact with many of the cotton gins and attend annual meetings when possible to see if there are any changes to the industry that we need to make adjustment for. Imputation procedures for the remaining non-respondents and other statistical procedures are reviewed by the NASS Summary, Estimation and Disclosure Methodology Branch, Methodology Division. The resulting estimates provide reliable and useable measures of this industry.

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

No test of procedures are proposed for these surveys.

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), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Specifications and survey design were developed by Summary, Estimation, and Disclosure Methodology Branch, Methodology Division; Branch Chief is Jeff Bailey (202) 720-4008.

The sampling plan was developed by the Sampling, Editing, and Imputation Methodology Branch, Methodology Division; Branch Chief is Mark Apodaca, (202)720-4008.

Data collection is carried out by NASS Regional Field Offices; Eastern Field Operation’s Director is Jay Johnson, (202) 720-3638 and the Western Field Operation’s Director is Kevin Barnes (202) 720-8220.

The NASS commodity statistician in Headquarters for cotton is Bianca Pruneda, (202) 720-7688, in the Field Crops Section of the Crops Branch, Statistics Division. She is responsible for summary, analysis, and publication.

Coordination of data collection, training, and quality control is the responsibility of the Survey Administration Branch; Branch Chief is Gerald Tillman, (202) 720-3895.

January 2017

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