Notice of FCIC's Proposed Pricing Methodology for Grain Sorghum, 36655-36656 [E9-17616]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 141 / Friday, July 24, 2009 / Notices Activities included in this proposal would result in: (a) Approximately 1,650 acres would be thinned by removing understory and midstory trees to improve stand health, growth and resistance to insect and disease; (b) Approximately 400 acres of overstocked stands within the Harris Mountain Late Successional Reserve would be thinned by removing primarily understory and midstory trees to promote the growth of large diameter trees, improve stand health and reduce ladder fuels. Thinning treatments would retain 10 percent or more of the stand in unthinned patches and up to 15 percent of the stand would be in heavily thinned patches or openings up to 1⁄4 acre in size for stand diversity; (c) Approximately 260 acres of overstocked and diseased lodgepole pine stands would be regenerated by harvesting most overstory trees. A minimum of 15 percent of the overstory would remain. A new stand would be established through natural regeneration and targeted planting; (d) Oak trees within harvest units and one aspen stand of approximately 20 acres would be released by removing conifers; (e) Forest fuels would be reduced by thinning to decrease understory and mid-story stocking on a total of approximately 2,050 acres. Following harvest, approximately 320 acres of heavy surface fuels would be machinepiled and burned. Underburning some areas with a relatively cool surface fire would reduce surface fuel loading. Following thinning, 660 acres would be underburned and prescribed fire would reduce fuels on 620 acres outside harvest units; (f) Salvage harvest within the Harris Mountain Late-Successional Reserve would reduce fuel loading on 30 acres; (g) Road management would decrease the open-road density by decommissioning approximately 1⁄2 mile of Forest System road and 11⁄2 miles of unclassified roads. Erosion of existing roads would be decreased through improved road drainage, culvert replacement and surfacing roads with rock. Forest thinning and fuels reduction would be accomplished primarily through commercial harvest. Harvest operations would yield sawtimber and chip products. Trees would be felled, removed and processed with mechanized equipment. Harvested trees would be transported from the stump to central landing areas adjacent to roads where they would be limbed and processed into sawtimber logs or chips. VerDate Nov<24>2008 18:55 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 Responsible Official J. Sharon Heywood, Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Nature of Decision To Be Made The Forest Supervisor will decide whether to implement the proposed action, take an alternative action that meets the purpose and need or take no action. Scoping Process This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides the development of the environmental impact statement. The project is included in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest’s quarterly schedule of proposed actions (SOPA). Information on the proposed action will also be posted on the forest Web site (https:// www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity/projects) and advertised in both the Redding Record Searchlight and the Mount Shasta Herald. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such manner that they are useful to the agency’s preparation of the environmental impact statement. Therefore, comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewer’s concerns and contentions. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review. Dated: July 16, 2009. J. Sharon Heywood, Forest Supervisor, Shasta-Trinity National Forest. [FR Doc. E9–17515 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Notice of FCIC’s Proposed Pricing Methodology for Grain Sorghum AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Section 12009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to obtain the services of five expert reviewers to ‘‘develop and recommend a methodology for determining an expected market price for grain sorghum for both the production and revenuebased plans of insurance to more PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 36655 accurately reflect the actual market price at harvest’’ and for FCIC to publish the selected methodology for notice and comment on the methodology. DATES: Written comments on this notice will be accepted until September 22, 2009. A public meeting will be held on August 20, 2009, at 9 a.m., at 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, MO 64133 to discuss the proposed methodology. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to Quintrell Hollis, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Product Design Branch, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Risk Management Agency, 6501 Beacon Drive, Mail Stop 813, Kansas City, MO 64133. Written comments may also be submitted electronically to: grainpricecomments@rma.usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Quintrell Hollis at the Kansas City, MO address listed above, telephone (816) 926–3421. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: The Risk Management Agency (RMA), on behalf of FCIC, uses the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates to establish grain sorghum price elections. The Actual Production History (APH) plan of insurance relies heavily on projections from USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. The revenue-based plans of insurance use USDA grain sorghum-tocorn ratio multiplied by a futures price. The USDA’s grain sorghum estimate reflects season average price, but the National Sorghum Producers did not feel that this process offers grain sorghum producers a price that adequately reflects harvest time price. As a result, section 12009 of the 2008 Farm Bill requires FCIC to contract for the services of five expert reviewers to ‘‘develop and recommend a methodology for determining an expected market price for grain sorghum for both the production and revenuebased plans of insurance to more accurately reflect the actual price at harvest.’’ The legislation further requires FCIC to review the recommendations, consider the recommendations when determining an appropriate methodology, publish its proposed methodology for public comment, and implement a methodology that is transparent and replicable for 2010 crop year. The expert reviewers, all agricultural economists with experience in the grain sorghum and corn markets, are from within USDA, the grain sorghum industry and institutions of higher learning. They are: • Dr. Holly Wang, Purdue University. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 36656 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 141 / Friday, July 24, 2009 / Notices • Dr. James Richardson, Texas A&M University. • Chris Cogburn, National Sorghum Producers. • Robert Dismukes, Economic Research Service. • Greg Pompelli, Economic Research Service. Summary of Expert Reviews The Economic Research Service (ERS) reviews were similar and recommended no changes to current pricing methodology. ERS reviews revealed that grain sorghum and corn prices across all States and all years are highly correlated. Purdue University provided a methodology that proposed regression equations by State using National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) cash price data at State level or if no State level NASS data were available, national level NASS price data. The model used data from 2004–2008. The National Sorghum Producers proposed a regression model based on published monthly NASS prices, exports and total use of grain sorghum to calculate a grain sorghum-corn ratio. The grain sorghum-corn ratio was then multiplied by the USDA corn price estimate for APH policies and for revenue policies the ratio was multiplied by the corn futures price. The model used data from 1990–2008. Texas A&M University proposed a regression model based on regional grain sorghum cash price data and corn futures price at the Chicago Board of Trade. Price elections were developed at the national level and the model uses data from 1979–2008. srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES Proposed Methododogy Selected FCIC intends to implement the methodology submitted by Texas A&M University. This methodology met the requirements of the 2008 Farm Bill of being transparent and replicable. RMA determined that this methodology was the most accurate predictor of grain sorghum prices at harvest time. Details about this methodology as well as the other methodologies proposed by the expert reviewers can be found at https://www.rma.usda.gov. Signed in Washington, DC on July 20, 2009. William J. Murphy, Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. [FR Doc. E9–17616 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–08–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:38 Jul 23, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Alpine County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Alpine County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold its third meeting. DATES: The meeting will be held on September 2, 2009, and will begin at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in Alpine County at the Alpine Early Learning Center, 100 Foothill Road, Markleeville, CA 96120. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marnie Bonesteel, RAC Coordinator, USDA, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District, 1536 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701 (775) 884–8140; e-mail: mbonesteel@fs.fed.us. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Vote on committee bylaws and elect a chairperson, (2) Vote on Title II projects, (3) Public Comment. The meeting is open to the public. Public input opportunity will be provided and individuals will have the opportunity to address the Committee at that time. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: July 16, 2009. Genny Wilson, Designated Federal Officer. [FR Doc. E9–17361 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Tuolumne County Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Tuolumne County Resource Advisory Committee will meet on August 10, 2009 at the City of Sonora Fire Department, in Sonora, California. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on projects, determine the need for an August 17th meeting, and schedule meetings and topics for 2010. DATES: The meeting will be held August 10, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the City of Sonora Fire Department located at 201 South Shepherd Street, in Sonora, California (CA 95370). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Martinez, Committee Coordinator, PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 USDA, Stanislaus National Forest, MiWuk Ranger District, P.O. Box 100, MiWuk Village, CA 95346, (209) 586–3234; E-mail: bethmartinez@fs.fed.us. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Tuolumne County RAC plans to expand its geographic area to include Mariposa County and will be reviewing and recommending projects in both counties. Agenda items to be covered include: (1) Discussion and voting on projects; (2) determine need for an August 17 meeting; (3) schedule meetings/topics for 2010; (4) public comment on meeting proceedings. This meeting is open to the public. Dated: July 16, 2009. Timothy A. Dabney, Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. E9–17516 Filed 7–23–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–ED–M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–570–941] Certain Kitchen Appliance Shelving and Racks From the People’s Republic of China: Final Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. DATES: Effective Date: July 24, 2009. SUMMARY: On March 5, 2009, the Department of Commerce (‘‘Department’’) published its preliminary determination of sales at less than fair value (‘‘LTFV’’) in the antidumping duty investigation of certain kitchen appliance shelving and racks (‘‘kitchen racks’’) from the People’s Republic of China (‘‘PRC’’). We invited interested parties to comment on our preliminary determination of sales at LTFV. Based on our analysis of the comments we received, we have made changes from the Certain Kitchen Appliance Shelving and Racks from the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value and Postponement of Final Determination, 74 FR 9591 (March 5, 2009) (‘‘Preliminary Determination’’). The final dumping margins for this investigation are listed in the ‘‘Final Determination Margins’’ section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia Hancock or Katie Marksberry, AD/CVD Operations, Office 9, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 141 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36655-36656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17616]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation


Notice of FCIC's Proposed Pricing Methodology for Grain Sorghum

AGENCY: Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Section 12009 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (2008 Farm Bill) requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 
(FCIC) to obtain the services of five expert reviewers to ``develop and 
recommend a methodology for determining an expected market price for 
grain sorghum for both the production and revenue-based plans of 
insurance to more accurately reflect the actual market price at 
harvest'' and for FCIC to publish the selected methodology for notice 
and comment on the methodology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice will be accepted until September 
22, 2009. A public meeting will be held on August 20, 2009, at 9 a.m., 
at 6501 Beacon Drive, Kansas City, MO 64133 to discuss the proposed 
methodology.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Quintrell Hollis, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
Product Design Branch, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Risk 
Management Agency, 6501 Beacon Drive, Mail Stop 813, Kansas City, MO 
64133. Written comments may also be submitted electronically to: 
grainpricecomments@rma.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Quintrell Hollis at the Kansas City, 
MO address listed above, telephone (816) 926-3421.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: The Risk Management Agency (RMA), on behalf of FCIC, 
uses the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates to 
establish grain sorghum price elections. The Actual Production History 
(APH) plan of insurance relies heavily on projections from USDA's World 
Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. The revenue-based plans of 
insurance use USDA grain sorghum-to-corn ratio multiplied by a futures 
price. The USDA's grain sorghum estimate reflects season average price, 
but the National Sorghum Producers did not feel that this process 
offers grain sorghum producers a price that adequately reflects harvest 
time price. As a result, section 12009 of the 2008 Farm Bill requires 
FCIC to contract for the services of five expert reviewers to ``develop 
and recommend a methodology for determining an expected market price 
for grain sorghum for both the production and revenue-based plans of 
insurance to more accurately reflect the actual price at harvest.'' The 
legislation further requires FCIC to review the recommendations, 
consider the recommendations when determining an appropriate 
methodology, publish its proposed methodology for public comment, and 
implement a methodology that is transparent and replicable for 2010 
crop year. The expert reviewers, all agricultural economists with 
experience in the grain sorghum and corn markets, are from within USDA, 
the grain sorghum industry and institutions of higher learning. They 
are:
     Dr. Holly Wang, Purdue University.

[[Page 36656]]

     Dr. James Richardson, Texas A&M University.
     Chris Cogburn, National Sorghum Producers.
     Robert Dismukes, Economic Research Service.
     Greg Pompelli, Economic Research Service.

Summary of Expert Reviews

    The Economic Research Service (ERS) reviews were similar and 
recommended no changes to current pricing methodology. ERS reviews 
revealed that grain sorghum and corn prices across all States and all 
years are highly correlated.
    Purdue University provided a methodology that proposed regression 
equations by State using National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS) cash price data at State level or if no State level NASS data 
were available, national level NASS price data. The model used data 
from 2004-2008.
    The National Sorghum Producers proposed a regression model based on 
published monthly NASS prices, exports and total use of grain sorghum 
to calculate a grain sorghum-corn ratio. The grain sorghum-corn ratio 
was then multiplied by the USDA corn price estimate for APH policies 
and for revenue policies the ratio was multiplied by the corn futures 
price. The model used data from 1990-2008.
    Texas A&M University proposed a regression model based on regional 
grain sorghum cash price data and corn futures price at the Chicago 
Board of Trade. Price elections were developed at the national level 
and the model uses data from 1979-2008.

Proposed Methododogy Selected

    FCIC intends to implement the methodology submitted by Texas A&M 
University. This methodology met the requirements of the 2008 Farm Bill 
of being transparent and replicable. RMA determined that this 
methodology was the most accurate predictor of grain sorghum prices at 
harvest time.
    Details about this methodology as well as the other methodologies 
proposed by the expert reviewers can be found at https://www.rma.usda.gov.

    Signed in Washington, DC on July 20, 2009.
William J. Murphy,
Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
[FR Doc. E9-17616 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-08-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.