0326 Ss A 2017083

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION COLLECTION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE (APHIS)
VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)
CENTERS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ANIMAL HEALTH (CEAH),
NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM (NAHMS)

NAHMS; BEEF 2017 STUDY

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION COLLECTION BY THE
CENTERS FOR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND ANIMAL HEALTH (CEAH),
NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM (NAHMS) 1
OMB NUMBER 0579-0326
NAHMS; BEEF 2017 STUDY
August 2017

A.

JUSTIFICATION

This submission is a request for approval to initiate the National Animal Health Monitoring
System’s (NAHMS’) Beef 2017 study, an information collection by the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS). The study will consist of two phases. In phase I, a National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) enumerator will contact and conduct interviews with
producers. Respondents in the top 24 beef States 2 will be asked to sign a consent form allowing
NASS to present their names to APHIS- designated data collectors for further consideration in
the study. Phase II (APHIS phase) will consist of completing the producer agreement and an onfarm questionnaire. In addition, biologic and forage sampling will be available to selected
participants that complete the Veterinary Services (VS) Initial Visit questionnaire. The
collection will support the following objectives:
1.

Describe trends in beef cow–calf health and management practices, specifically
• Calf health,
• Cow health and longevity,
• Reproductive efficiency,
• Reproductive efficiency,
• Selection methods for herd improvement including tests of genetic merit, and
• Biosecurity
2.
Describe management practices and producer beliefs related to
• Animal welfare,
• Emergency preparedness,
• Environmental stewardship, and
• Record keeping and animal identification practices.
3.
Describe antimicrobial use practices (stewardship) and determine the prevalence
and antimicrobial resistance patterns of potential food-safety pathogens.
• Types and reasons for use of antimicrobial drugs by animal type
• Stewardship
o Use of alternatives for disease control

1

The National Animal Health Monitoring System is responsible for collecting national data on animal health and
productivity from voluntary participants
2
Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia, Wyoming. State selection document can be found in Background Information section.

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•

o Use of Beef Quality Assurance principles
o Veterinarian-client-patient relationship
o Information sources
Enteric organism antimicrobial resistance assessments (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli,
Enterococcus)

The information collected through the Beef 2017 study will be analyzed and organized into
descriptive reports. One of the reports will present change over time from previous NAHMS
Beef studies. Several information sheets will be derived from this report and disseminated by
APHIS to producers, academia, veterinarians, and other stakeholders and interested parties.
Participation in this study is voluntary; it is up to the individual producer to decide whether or
not it is desirable to participate.
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 pertinent section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection
of information.
Collection and dissemination of animal health data and information is mandated by 7 U.S.C. §
391, the Animal Industry Act of 18843, which established the precursor of the APHIS,
Veterinary Services, and the Bureau of Animal Industry. Legal requirements for examining and
reporting on animal disease control methods were further mandated by 7 U.S.C. § 8308 of the
Animal Health Protection Act, “Detection, Control, and Eradication of Diseases and Pests,” May
13, 2002 3.
Collection, analysis, and dissemination of livestock and poultry health information on a national
basis are consistent with the APHIS mission of protecting and improving American agriculture’s
productivity and competitiveness. In connection with this mission, the NAHMS program
includes periodic national commodity studies to investigate animal health related issues and
examine general health and management practices used on farms. These studies are driven by
industry and other stakeholder interest, and will collect information that is not available from any
other source. Without this study, APHIS would be unable to continue the trends analysis that
began with the Cow-calf Health and Productivity Audit (CHAPA) in 1993 that various parts of
the industry as well as many Federal and State partners have come to rely on.
NAHMS will initiate the forth national data collection for beef cow-calf operations through the
Beef 2017 study. NAHMS staff has completed a needs assessment which was a collaborative
effort with producers, industry, extension specialists, Federal and State personnel, and university
researchers. Information gathered through this needs assessment was used to determine the
study objectives
National Surveys Providing Baseline Information
The Beef 2017 study is part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. beef cow-calf
population. The first NAHMS beef cow-calf study was the 1993 Cow-Calf Health &
3

7 United States Code § 391, and 7 U.S.C. § 8308, are available upon request.

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Productivity Audit (CHAPA). The objectives of the study were to provide information on the
production and health levels of the United States’ beef cow-calf herd and to suggest factors that
may affect morbidity and mortality.
Beef ’97 was the second national on-farm monitoring activity focusing on the beef cow-calf
population. Data were collected from the top 23 beef cow States. Beef ‘97 obtained information
on all phases of production and management on beef cow-calf operations. The APHIS phase of
Beef ‘97 included the collection of fecal samples which were tested for the presence of
Salmonella. Blood samples were also collected and evaluated for presence of antibodies to
Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and bovine leukosis virus and levels of
copper and zinc. Water samples collected during the study were evaluated for levels of sulfate
and other components.
Beef ‘97 gathered information that described changes in management practices and animal health
in cow-calf operations from 1993-97. Beef ‘97 also identified factors associated with shedding
of specific pathogens and described animal health management practices and their relationships
to beef cow-calf health. Approximately 85.7 percent of the U.S. beef cow inventory and 77.6
percent of U.S. beef cow-calf operations were represented in the study. The 24 states in the Beef
2017 study will represent 87.8 percent of U.S. beef cows and 79.4 percent of U.S. beef cow-calf
operations.

2. Indicate how, by whom, how frequently, 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.
Data collected, analyzed, and interpreted will be disseminated to a wide variety of constituents
Producers will use the information to compare their operation’s animal health and productivity
with other herds regionally and nationally. Producer groups and veterinarians will use
information derived from analyses to improve preventive measures and information outreach
efforts. Pharmaceutical and biologics companies will use the information to plan and develop
research and marketing strategies for their products. Extension specialists will use the
information to identify diseases and disease trends. State and Federal officials, responsible for
regulatory veterinary medicine, will use the information to gain a more complete picture of
animal health as a basis for program planning. State and Federal officials will use the data to
make scientifically based decisions. Public health officials will use the information to estimate
the magnitude of health conditions which could affect public health. Research scientists will use
the information to define current and future animal health issues and direct research
programming. Veterinary and agricultural students will use these data to determine the
occurrence, potential risk factors, and cost of animal disease as a foundation for training in health
management, animal welfare, nutrition, and environmental impacts. The benefit to the industry
from the Beef 2017 study is scientifically valid national estimates of health and management
practices of the nation’s beef industry.
APHIS will use the data collected to:

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Establish national and regional production measures (such as average weaning
age) for producer, veterinary, and industry reference
•

Predict or detect national and regional trends in disease emergence and movement

•

Address emerging issues

•

Examine the economic impact of health management practices

•
Provide estimates of both outcome (disease or other parameters) and exposure
(risks and components) variables that can be used in analytic studies in the future by
APHIS
•

Provide input into the design of surveillance systems for specific diseases.

Beef 2017 Study Data Collection Forms
NAHMS 400 - Beef 2017 Cow/Calf Operation Questionnaire– will be administered by a NASS
enumerator to collect data on the producer’s cattle inventory, beef cow-calf management
practices, and preventive care practices. A unique NAHMS identification number is assigned to
each operation. NASS will enter and validate data collected and provide consenting producer
reports to the APHIS NAHMS coordinators. The complete dataset will be sent to NAHMS. A
subset of surveys will be collected electronically. Upon completion, the questionnaire (without
producer contact information) is returned in batches via U.S. mail to NAHMS in Fort Collins,
Colorado, for data entry and validation. Electronic data will be uploaded to a central database. A
copy is retained by the data collector to facilitate validation.
NAHMS 401 - Beef 2017 VS Visit Questionnaire– will be administered to consenting producers
by an APHIS-designated data collector to collect data on management practices and productivity
information for the first six months of 2018. Upon completion, the form (without producer
contact information) will be returned to NAHMS for data entry and validation. A copy will be
retained by the data collector to facilitate validation.
NAHMS 402 - Beef 2017 Producer Participant Agreement– will be presented to the participant
by the APHIS-designated data collector upon entry into the NAHMS study. This form is
designed to increase the participant’s understanding of the study focus, highlight confidentiality
safeguards, and explain participation requirements and benefits. After completing the form with
the participant, it will be signed by the participant and the data collector. One copy of this
agreement will be left with the participant and one copy will be retained by the data collector.
NAHMS 403 - Beef 2017 VS Visit Consent Form- will be administered to consenting producers
by a NASS enumerator data collector to collect data on management practices. Upon
completion, the form (without producer contact information such as name or address) will be
returned to NAHMS for data entry and validation. A copy will be retained by the data collector
to facilitate validation.

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NAHMS 404 - Beef 2017 Fecal Collection Form – will be used by an APHIS-designated data
collector to collect information about animals and operations where fecal samples are being
collected from the environment. The fecal samples will be chilled and sent to the USDA
Agriculture Research Service (ARS) Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance
research laboratory for analysis of food safety pathogens. Test results will be returned to
NAHMS and will be added to the farm record database. The form will be returned to NAHMS
for data entry and validation and a copy will be retained by the data collector to facilitate
validation. Results will be returned to the producers.
NAHMS 405 - Beef 2017 BVD Collection Form – will be used by an APHIS-designated data
collector to collect information on the animals and operations where ear notch samples are being
collected. Ear notches will be shipped for overnight delivery to a collaborating laboratory to
determine if the animal is persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVD). Test
results will be returned to NAHMS and will be added to the farm record database. Results of the
testing will also be returned to the producers.
NAHMS 406 - Beef 2017 Forage Testing Collection Form –will be used by an APHISdesignated data collector to collect information on forage samples being collected. The samples
will be submitted to a collaborating laboratory to be tested for nutrient content. The testing will
be conducted by a collaborating laboratory. Test results will be returned to NAHMS and will be
added to the farm record database. Results of the testing will be returned to the producers.

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.
No automated, electronic, or mechanical techniques will be used to collect information for the
Beef 2017 study. Since biological samples will be collected, an on-farm visit is required and
provides an opportunity for the data collector to administer the questionnaire.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information
already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purpose described in item 2
above.
Literature searches for existing data relevant to the Beef 2017 study have been performed.
Available data were reviewed and compiled from all known sources. Sources reviewed include
cooperative State research, private industry and professional publications, diagnostic
laboratories, other Federal and State agencies, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
(NCBA), American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and universities. Personnel
from Federal agencies and academia were consulted in their area of expertise to identify areas of

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potential duplication. No other entity/source is collecting and analyzing this type of information
on the health of the U.S. beef industry.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe
any methods used to minimize burden. Include the percentage of respondents contacted
that are small entities.
All producers with one or more beef cows in inventory during the NASS visit are eligible for
participation in the APHIS data collection phases; however, APHIS estimates that none of the
participants/respondents will be considered small entities. This survey is designed to collect the
minimum amount of data required from a minimum number of producers with beef cows to
ensure statistically and scientifically valid data. Industry and producer input is solicited to
ensure that information collected is relevant and timely. This is a voluntary study; it is at the
discretion of the individual producer to decide whether or not it is desirable for them to
participate.

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.
Ten years have passed since the last NAHMS beef cow-calf study and a new look at the health
and management practices is needed. In addition, it is imperative that we continue to track
disease levels through biologic sample testing. The type, quality, and frequency of data collected
by the NAHMS through national on-farm collections is unique, no other entity is collecting this
type of information in the U.S.
Without this type of national data, the U.S.’ ability to detect trends in management, production,
and health status, either directly or indirectly, would be reduced or nonexistent. The possibility
of assessing the reduction of risk to human health from Salmonella due to management changes
based on NAHMS data would also be nonexistent. Furthermore, the ability to respond to
international trade issues involving the health status and production practices of the U.S. beef
cow population would be severely reduced, potentially impacting the global marketability of
animals, meat and byproducts.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with the general information collection guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
• requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than
quarterly;
• requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in
fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

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• requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
• requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government
contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;
• in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and
reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;
• requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and
approved by OMB;
• that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority
established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data
security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unneces­sarily impedes
sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or
• requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential
information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to
protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
This information collection is consistent with guidelines established in 5 CFR 1320.5.

8. 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 form, and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or
reported. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of
publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, soliciting comments on the
information collection prior to submission to OMB.
A needs assessment was conducted through the different beef and cattle associations who
solicited anonymous stakeholder opinions via a SurveyMonkey survey.
On Monday, May 8, 2017, page 21364, APHIS published in the Federal Register, a 60-day
notice seeking public comments on its plans to request a reinstatement of this information
collection. During that time, APHIS received two comments. One comment was from an
interested member of the public whose comments weren’t in line with spirit of this information
collection/study. The other comment was from the North American Meat Institute which
supports the ongoing research through the use of this information collection/study.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than
reenumeration of contractors or grantees.
There will be no payments or gifts provided to respondents.

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10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
APHIS will only release study results based on summary estimates from the inference
population. Only the NASS designated APHIS confidential agents collecting on-farm data will
have knowledge of the participant’s identity. All forms, data, and questionnaires will refer to the
respondent by a numeric code assigned by NASS. This link between participant and numeric
code will be destroyed once data collection, entry, validation and report dissemination are
complete (except in those cases where the producer consents to be contacted for potential
participation in follow-on studies). All completed survey forms, without names and other
identifying personal information, will be stored securely in a limited access records vault. In
follow-on phases agreed to by respondents, no names, addresses, or other personal information is
recorded on the questionnaire, therefore eliminating any connection between completed
questionnaires or laboratory results and the respondent’s information.
NASS has statutory protection, under Title 7, Section 2276 of the U.S. Code, Confidentiality of
Information and additionally through the Confidentiality Information Protection and Statistical
Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2002 that guarantees NASS’s ability to keep individual farm data
and associated producer names and addresses confidential. Acting under the capacity granted to
government statistical agencies, NASS designates APHIS personnel as confidential agents which
allow access to record level data critical to project scope.
Every NASS employee and designated APHIS personnel that may handle a questionnaire, or
data coming from a questionnaire, are required to sign a form certifying they understand the
restrictions on the use of unpublished data. These documents reference protections provided by
the aforementioned statutory and regulatory protections. Access to record-level data files is
always restricted and these files are only accessible by NASS employees or designated APHIS
personnel. APHIS designated personnel are never provided access to NASS respondents’ name
and address without producer consent. APHIS data collection is carried out in the field by
veterinary medical officers or animal health technicians under the terminology of APHIS
designated data collector.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior or attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the
questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be
given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to
obtain their consent.
There are no questions of a sensitive nature used in this collection activity.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. Indicate the
number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of
how the burden was estimated.

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• 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 0MB Form 83-I.
A total of 5,894 burden hours are needed to complete the Beef 2017 study
information collection activities. A detailed burden estimate has been included on the
enclosed APHIS 71 Form.
•

Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using the correct wage rate categories.
Respondent costs: Estimated respondent costs for the information collection proposed
is calculated based on an on-farm data collection estimate of $13.25 per hour 4. The
total respondent cost for the Beef 2017 Study is $78,095.50 (5,894 hours * $13.25).

13. Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections
of information, identifying and using the correct wage rate categories.
There are no capital/start up costs or ongoing operations and 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 and any other expense that would not have been
incurred without this collection of information.
The estimated cost to the Federal Government is $925,365.83. For more specific information,
please see the enclosed APHIS 79 form.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments reported in Items 13 or 14
of the OMB Form 83-1.
This is a reinstatement of an information collection (0579-0326) to investigate current issues and
examine management practices of the beef cow-calf industry resulting in 5,894 burden hours.

16. For collections of information whose results are planned to be published, outline plans
for tabulation and publication.
Information from this survey will be summarized immediately following the collection, editing,
and cleaning of the data. Data will be entered into a database management system utilizing
4

NASS Farm Labor, published report for October 2016,
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/FarmLabo/FarmLabo-11-17-2016.pdf.

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microcomputers or workstations, and statistical calculations will be performed; e.g., descriptive
statistics including frequency distributions and means. Variance measures and confidence
intervals for the point estimates will be calculated in order to describe the precision of the
descriptive statistics generated. Standard errors will be published along with the point estimates.
Considerable effort has been placed on reducing the time between the end of data collection and
release of a final publication. Hardcopy information from the study will be made available to
producers, universities, researchers, practitioners, animal health related industries, Federal
agencies, legislators, and any other interested party. Copies of current and past information from
the NAHMS are available online here.

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.
Due to NASS publishing deadlines, it is possible that form NAHMS 400 would not have the
expiration date printed on the form. Due to their Census of Agriculture work, NASS must
conduct their phase of the study in October 2017. It is possible that final approval is not granted
prior to the deadline for their printer to have survey questionnaires printed and distributed to
their field staff in time to start on time. The NASS phase of a NAHMS study must be completed
prior to implementing the VS phase. If NASS is unable to collect the data in October 2017, the
study would be delayed 2 years as NASS still would be unavailable in October 2018 due to their
Census duties. All remaining forms are for later activities and use other printers so this will not
be an issue and will have expiration dates printed on them.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement identified in the “Certification for
Paperwork Reduction Act.”
APHIS is able to certify compliance with all provisions in the Paperwork Reduction Act.

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