Notice2023-23755
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentEconomic Research Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ERS is proposing a new information collection to study farmers' practices and participation in cover crops, "Corn and Soybean Grower Survey."
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 207 (Friday, October 27, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 207 (Friday, October 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 73825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23755]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: Economic Research Service (ERS), Department of Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request to comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ERS is
proposing a new information collection to study farmers' practices and
participation in cover crops, ``Corn and Soybean Grower Survey.''
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 26,
2023 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the
address below.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#325740411c42405372474156531c555d44"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cf9eeefb2eceefddce9eff8fdb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a> identified by docket number 0536-NEW.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Julie
Parker at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b8ddcacb96c8cad9f8cdcbdcd996dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="583d2a2b76282a39182d2b3c39763f372e">[email protected]</span></a> or 202-868-7945.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of collection: Corn and Soybean Grower Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0536-NEW.
Type of Request: A new information collection.
Abstract:
Collection of Information for Corn and Soybean Grower Survey
The proposed data collection will survey corn and soybean farmers
in the Midwestern United States to study farmers' preferences for
participating in programs that support cover cropping and gather new
information about current cover cropping practices. This survey sample
will be drawn from Midwestern states as they represent a large majority
corn and soy acreage, similar policy contexts, and potential for growth
in cover crop adoption. USDA agencies are interested in supporting
voluntary long-run adoption of climate smart conservation practices
such as cover crops through technical assistance and financial
incentives. There are multiple Federal, state, and private programs
that support planting cover crops. This study is interested in Federal
programs, the two largest of which are the Environmental Quality
Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program
(CSP).
The survey will use questions on contract enrollment to examine how
contract flexibility, ease of applying, payments, and other aspects of
cover crop contracts affect farmers' willingness to enroll their corn
and soybean fields in cover crop programs. Results will be compared
between farmers with no history of cover cropping in Federal programs
and those who have cover cropped in Federal Programs.
Participation in the survey will be voluntary, and subjects will be
recruited by mail with options to participate either online or by mail.
Data will be analyzed using discrete choice models to estimate farmer
preferences for cover crop contracts. Results from the survey will be
used in academic and Federal research publications to provide
information to stakeholders and the public regarding farmer preferences
for planting cover crops and participating in cover crop programs. This
work will also inform future studies on adoption of cover crops and
other conservation practices.
Authority: These data will be collected under the authority of
U.S. Code (U.S.C.) 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) General duties of Secretary,
advisory functions, research and development and 7 U.S.C 6971, Under
Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, as
implemented under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 7 CFR 2.21
which delegates to the Under Secretary, as Chief Scientist, the
responsibility for agricultural systems and technology, including
emerging agricultural research, education, and extension needs. This
Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (at 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and
Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320. 5 CFR part 1320.
Confidentiality: All ERS employees and ERS contractors must also
fully comply with all provisions of the Confidential Information
Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) of 2018, title III
of Public Law 115-435, codified in 44 U.S.C. ch. 35.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of
information is estimated to average approximately 30 minutes per
respondent.
Respondents: The respondents will be farmers who grow corn or soy
in Midwestern states.
Estimated Number of Respondents: Up to 2,250 respondents. This is
based on a 15% response rate from a sample of 15,000 farmers.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Up to 3,625 hours.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of ERS, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of ERS's estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, use, and clarity of the information for respondents, including
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who are to respond, including
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Spiro Stefanou,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, United States Department of
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2023-23755 Filed 10-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P
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