Dec 11 -- The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) invites comments to OMB by January 16, 2024 regarding the Fruit, Nuts, and Specialty Crops surveys. [Comments due 30 days after submission to OMB on December 14.]
Data reported on fruit, nut, and specialty crops are used by NASS to estimate crop acreage, yield, production, utilization, price, and value in States with significant commercial production. These estimates are essential to farmers, processors, importers and exporters, shipping companies, cold storage facilities and handlers in making production and marketing decisions. Estimates from these inquiries are used by market order administrators in their determination of expected crop supplies under federal and State market orders.
The program changes involve the discontinuation of five surveys that were previously conducted under cooperative agreements. with that will not be included in this renewal.
-- Prune Crop Inquiry previously funded by the California State Department of Agriculture,
-- Missouri Grape Production and Utilization Survey previously funded by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The survey, funded by the same cooperator, will utilize the Grape Variety Inquiry utilized for Texas.
-- Macadamia Nut Processor Report previously funded by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and Macadamia Nut Loss Report previously funded by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
-- Grape Inventory Surveys previously funded by the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council.
The adjustments come from minor changes to the target populations and sample sizes,
NASS Fruit and Nut Surveys
https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Fruits_and_Nuts/index.php
NASS submission to OMB:
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202310-0535-004 Click IC List for information collection instrument, View Supporting Statement for technical documentation. Submit comments through this webpage.
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-27078
For AEA members wishing to submit comments, "A Primer on How to Respond to Calls for Comment on Federal Data Collections" is available at
https://www.aeaweb.org/content/file?id=5806