Acreage Reporting Deadline – July 15th
Acreage reports to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are important for numerous programs. Eligibility is often determined by the acreage planted. Don’t delay and obtain an appointment today to complete your 2019 acreage reporting.
The deadline to report is July 15th. Anyone not meeting the July 15th deadline will be expected to pay a late-filing fee of $46 per farm number to certify their report. There is a final date to complete a late-filed application and that is the acreage reporting deadline the following year. For example, anyone who missed reporting their fall seeded crops have until November 15, 2019 to record and pay a late-filed report.
Every Season is #scamseason
Remember to discuss your USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) account information only with people you recognize and trust.
If you have questions about your FSA accounts, contact the Name County FSA office at 970-356-8097.
Conservation Reserve Program – Contract Updates
The Farm Service Agency is in the process of reconciling contract acreage from tenths (10ths) to hundredths (100ths) of acres. Many producers will receive a revised CRP contract and conservation plan for signature, due to this process.
The rate per acre and the actual fields have not changed. The powers believe that contracts should be in 100ths; Therefore, we at the local level are processing new contracts and mailing them for signature.
You as a producer can be most helpful by reviewing and immediately returning your signed contract and plan to your local FSA office. Payments are issued after the first of October annually and the timing of this project is not far away from payment time. So, do your part and return your contract upon receipt.
Conservation Reserve Program – Nesting Season Ends July 16
With the recent rain, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage is looking good. Anyone wishing to utilize CRP acreage for either haying or grazing may do so, but application and written approval must be granted prior to any cutting, bailing or grazing of CRP acreage.
CRP acreage is to be left idle for wildlife nesting and brooding thru July 15th annually. Any acreage used for hay or grazing will have a payment reduction equal to 25 percent of the annual rental payment multiplied times the acreage used. Furthermore, there are limitations on how often the acreage can be used.
Unauthorized haying and grazing will eliminate the annual rental payment and possibly cause the contract to be terminated. If terminated, then all previous year’s payments plus interest will be refunded along with liquidated damages for early contract termination.
Be sure to contact the Farm Service Agency now to request authorized haying or grazing, so a modified conservation plan can be developed, and approval can be granted. (970) 356-8097.
Other information about the Conservation Reserve Program can be obtained by reviewing an appendix or a fact sheet.
Conservation Reserve Program – One-year Extension
Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now select a one-year contract extension. Signup for CRP runs until August 23. Letters have been mailed to all producers with expiring CRP contracts, describing possible options.
A one-year extension is being offered to existing CRP participants with expiring CRP contracts of 14 years or less that have practices not eligible for re-enrollment under this CRP signup.
Alternatively, producers with expiring contracts may have the option to enroll in the Transition Incentives Program, which provides two additional annual rental payments on the condition the land is sold or rented to a beginning farmer or rancher or a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
Dairy operations can register for 2019 DMC coverage until COB September 20, 2019
The 2018 Farm Bill allowed USDA to construct the new DMC, which replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). This new program offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. The program provides coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment. At the time of signup, dairy producers can choose between the $4.00 to $9.50 coverage levels.
Eligible dairy operations must have a production history determined by FSA. For most operations, production history is based on the highest milk production in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Newer dairy operations have other options for determining production history. Producers may contact their local FSA office to get their verified production history.
Dairy producers also are reminded that 2018 Farm Bill provisions allow for dairy operation to participate in both FSA’s DMC program and the Risk Management Agency’s Livestock Gross Margin (LGM-Dairy) program. There are also no restrictions from participating in DMC in conjunction with any other RMA insurance products.
For more information, visit farmers.gov DMC webpage or contact your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.
A web-based decision tool is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/dmc to assist dairy producers with examining various coverage options suitable for their dairy operation.
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides organic producers and handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost of organic certification. The program reimburses producers and handlers for a portion of their paid certification costs. Once certified, organic producers and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope—crops, livestock, wild crops, handling and State Organic Program fees.
Producers are encouraged to provide FSA offices with their current year organic certification when reporting crops. Additionally, receipts and proof of payment are required when claiming OCCSP benefits on Form CCC-884.
Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC)
FSA will open ARC/PLC elections for the 2019 and 2020 crop years beginning in September 2019.
