This is a non-substantive change request to the Cattle on Feed questionnaire. The scope of the alfalfa price questions were changed to accommodate the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill 2018.
The two program changes involved the discontinuation of the July Sheep Survey. The July sheep survey was suspended in 2013 due to budget cuts, but was left active in the OMB docket, in the event that funding would be restored. However, since this did not occur it is now being dropped from the OMB approval. The other program change was to the Cattle on Feed survey conducted in Iowa of operations with less than 1,000 head capacity on their operation. NASS collects data for all the operations with greater than 1,000 head capacity in all the major cattle producing states; only Iowa conducts this survey for the smaller operations. The Iowa Regional Field Office conducts a census of all cattle feed operations in January of each year. From the positive reports they receive, they create a sample master of approximately 500 operations that are contacted monthly.
The remainder of the reduction in responses and burden hours is due to adjustments in the sample size to reflect changes in the population and the inclusion of burden for the cover letters and Internet access instructions that are mailed out to respondents with the questionnaires.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.