NASS Cotton Ginning Survey Revision and Extension Consultation

Content

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS) to request revision and extension of a currently approved information collection, the Cotton Ginning Survey.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by March 16, 2026 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by docket number 0535-0220, by any of the following methods:

• Email: ombofficer@nass.usda.gov. Include docket number above in the subject line of the message.

• E-fax: (855) 838-6382.

• Mail: Mail any paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions to: NASS OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Hand deliver to: NASS OMB Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 5336 South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20250-2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jody R. McDaniel, Associate Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (202)
720-2707. Copies of this information collection and related instructions can be obtained without charge from NASS OMB Clearance
Officer, at (202) 720-2206 or at ombofficer@nass.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Cotton Ginning Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0535-0220.

Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2026.

Type of Request: To revise and extend a currently approved information collection for a period of three years.

Abstract: The primary objective of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is to collect, prepare and issue State and national
estimates of crop and livestock production, prices, and disposition as well as economic statistics, environmental statistics
related to agriculture and also to conduct the Census of Agriculture. The Cotton Ginning surveys provide cotton ginning statistics
from August through May by State. Data collected consists of bales of cotton ginned to date, cotton to be ginned, lint cotton
produced, cottonseed produced, cottonseed sold to oil mills, cottonseed used for other uses, number of gins by type, and bales
produced by county of origin. The forecasting procedure involves calculating a weighted percent gained to date as well as
an allowance for cross-state movement and bale weight adjustments. Production by State allows adjustments for year-end State
and county estimates. The total pounds of lint cotton produced are used to calculate the actual bale weight, enhancing the
precision of production estimates.

Authority: These data will be collected under authority of 7 U.S.C. 2204(a). Individually identifiable data collected under this authority
are governed by Section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, 7 U.S.C. 2276, which requires USDA to afford strict
confidentiality to non-aggregated data provided by respondents. This Notice is submitted in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.3501, et seq.) and Office of Management and Budget regulations at 5 CFR part 1320.

All NASS employees and NASS 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. CIPSEA supports
NASS's pledge of confidentiality to all respondents and facilitates the agency's efforts to reduce burden by supporting statistical
activities of collaborative agencies through designation of NASS agents, subject to the limitations and penalties described
in CIPSEA.

Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to be between 10 to 15 minutes per respondent
per survey.

Respondents: Active Cotton Gins.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 600.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,300 hours.

Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 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, technological, or other forms of information technology collection methods.

All responses to this notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in the request for OMB approval.

Signed at Washington, DC, December 11, 2025. Jody R. McDaniel, Associate Administrator. [FR Doc. 2026-00541 Filed 1-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-20-P

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