Supplemental Supporting Statement B for Montana Wheat & Barley Variety Survey Substantive Change Request

SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT Part B

FIELD CROPS PRODUCTION

Substantive Change

OMB No. 0535-0002

This substantive change is being submitted as a supplemental supporting statement to the Field Crops Production docket. This document identifies changes made to the Wheat and Barley Variety Survey that will be conducted in Montana in 2021.

B. 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 only change that is being made to this docket is the reinstatement of the Montana Wheat and Barley Varieties Survey. The Montana Wheat and Barley Varieties Sampling Frame comprises all active Montana operations on NASS’s List Frame with positive acreage for winter, durum, other spring wheat or unknown wheat type, and barley.

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there are approximately

• 898 operations with durum wheat acres harvested,

• 2,937 operations with other spring wheat acres harvested,

• 1,996 operations with winter wheat acres harvested, and

• 1,416 operations with barley acres harvested

• (some operations had more than one of these commodities)

All other surveys will remain the same.

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 sampling frame will be stratified by wheat type and district for only durum and other spring wheat. The study is a complete census of all entities on the NASS list frame with the targeted commodities (N=5,300).

There are no other changes to the procedures used for data collection from the original approval.

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.

There are no changes to the modes used for data collection from the original approval.

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

No testing has been conducted for this substantive change request. NASS will be using existing questionnaires that will have only minor modifications made to them. However, NASS has included burden in A-12 to allow for cognitive testing if our survey methodologists feel it is necessary.

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.

Sample methodology for the Montana Wheat and Barley Variety Survey is determined by the agency’s Sampling, Editing, and Imputation Methodology Branch, headed by Branch Chief Mark Apodaca, (202) 690-8141

Data collection operations are carried out by NASS Regional Field Offices; Western Field Operation’s Director is Troy Joshua, (202) 720-8220. Survey data are also reviewed and summarized, and estimates set by the Regional Field Offices. Publications are released from the Regional Offices.

March 2021

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