Jasper County USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Katie Kramer announced that the acreage reporting deadline for the 2013 crop year is July 15.
Producers who file accurate and timely reports for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage can prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits.
Acreage reports are required for many Farm Service Agency programs. Acreage reports on crops covered by Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program should be filed in the county office the earlier of July 15 or no later than 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported.
To report prevented or failed acreage, producers must complete Form CCC-576, Notice of Loss for applicable crops. Reporting prevented or failed acreage to FSA will ensure compliance with current farm programs, and possible eligibility for future disaster programs. Once a CCC-576 has been submitted, if cannot be withdrawn or revised.
Reporting forage crops and pastures is also required. For 2014, perennial forage, fall wheat, and other fall seeded small grains will have a Dec. 15 reporting date. All crops on the farm, including forage crops and pasture are used to determine overall eligibility for some FSA programs, so accurately reporting these crops is important. Since the make-up of a forage crop’s stand changes over time, the legumes and/or grass mixture may be needed or the age of the stand.
Another reminder for any producer who had severe damage to conservation structures due to heavy rains and/or sand, silt and debris deposits left on fields due to flooding, the Emergency Conservation Program application period ends on Aug. 5. If you are a producer who has had severe damage, contact the office and have with you the areas of damage to report on a map. The minimum amount of damage must be $1,000 to qualify along with several other provisions.
For questions regarding crop certification, DCP sign-up or ECP sign-up, contact the Jasper County FSA office at (641) 792-5019.