0005-lvstk-11-SSB

Supporting Statement – Part B

LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER

OMB No. 0535-0005

COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

The Federally Inspected (FI) slaughter data is a census of all FI plants that slaughter cattle, calves, hogs, sheep, goats and/or bison. It is reported under a cooperative arrangement between USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). All FSIS Federal meat inspectors are required to collect daily slaughter data and submit Weekly Livestock Slaughter Reports for each plant they inspect (834 plants in 2010) and submit the data electronically to FSIS. Since this is mandatory, the response rate is 100 percent.

Most States have inspection laws requiring that some or all plants that are not included in the FSIS inspection program be inspected by the State. Slaughter data for about 45% of these approximately 2,000 Non Federally Inspected (NFI) plants are reported to NASS Field Offices (FO) by State inspectors. The remaining 55% are contacted monthly by the NASS Field Offices. The combined response rate for the NFI questionnaires is 85%.

The table below summarizes the most recent survey counts. The FI proportion of total commercial slaughter was very high for each year: in 2010, 98.4 percent of cattle, 98.4 percent of calf, 99.1 percent of hog, and 92.0 percent of sheep slaughter were Federally-inspected. Since the FI plants account for 98.9% of all livestock slaughter, the coverage-weighted response rate is nearly 100%.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection, estimation procedure, degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification, unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures.

The FI Slaughter data is a census of all FI plants that slaughter cattle, calves, hogs, and/or sheep. FI livestock slaughter is reported under a cooperative arrangement between USDA’s AMS, FSIS, and NASS. FSIS Federal meat inspectors are responsible for compiling FI data for all Federally-licensed plants and submitting the data electronically to FSIS. The data is then sent to NASS on a regular basis. NASS imputes data for any plants not accounted for in the FSIS totals based on historical data for that plant or current data from plants of similar capacity. The weekly FI head slaughtered, live weight, and dressed weight by species and class are then summed to a calendar monthly total and summarized together with NFI monthly totals for the Commercial Red Meat Production.

Each NASS Field Office accounts for non-Federally-inspected slaughter differently, depending on the particular State’s inspection regulations. Most States have inspection laws requiring that some or all plants not included in the FSIS inspection program be inspected by the State. Slaughter data for approximately 45% of these NFI plants are reported to NASS FO’s by State inspectors. The remaining 55% of the NFI plants are contacted by the NASS Field Offices either on a monthly or quarterly basis to collect monthly livestock slaughter data. Field office statisticians review the NFI reports for reasonableness prior to transmitting the data to NASS Headquarters.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Over 95% of red meat production is covered by an 89.4% response rate due to Federal and State sponsorship. The inspections are complete enumerations rather than samples. The monthly livestock slaughter data are collected and reported by FSIS inspectors as the slaughter is taking place, therefore the degree of accuracy is very high. The system utilized by NASS to edit and summarize data includes a check of the current week’s data against historical averages for the plant to ensure accurate reporting. Since reporting the FI data is mandatory by FSIS, the data are highly reliable with all plants reporting.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

No test of procedures is planned as most of the data collection is mandated by Federal or State regulations.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Survey design and methodology are determined by the Statistical Methods Branch, Statistics Division; Branch Chief is Dave Aune, (202)720-4008.

Sample/census sizes are determined by each State office from their list frame. Data collection is carried out by 44 NASS State Field Offices; Director of Field Operations is Norman Bennett, (202)720-3638. The remaining Field Offices do not have NFI slaughter.

The NASS national commodity statistician responsible for the Livestock Slaughter Surveys is Sherry Bertramsen in the Iowa Field Office, (515-284-4340). The commodity statistician is responsible for coordination of sampling, questionnaires, data collection, data processing, field office support, national and regional summaries, publication, and the Estimation Manual.

August, 2011