DES MOINES – John R. Whitaker, state executive director for USDA’s Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers the annual crop certification deadline is July 15. Producers should file an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planting by that date.
"This year’s continued wet weather has created planting problems throughout the state, making accurate reporting to their local county FSA office very important," Whitaker said. “These reports need to be done by the July 15 deadline in order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements. Producers are also reminded that the Aug. 2 deadline to sign up for DCP sign-up is also coming up.”
Acreage reports on crops covered by Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) 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 Once a CCC-576 has been submitted, if cannot be withdrawn or revised.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.
If a producer misses the reporting deadline for prevented planting, they may still report prevented planting acreage as long as the disaster condition may be verified by a field visit and a late filing fee paid.
Producers may contact their local county FSA office if they have any questions about prevented and failed reporting or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ia.