FSA deadlines - know your crop reporting dates

By Blake Jackson

Kentucky agricultural producers are reminded to schedule appointments with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to file accurate crop acreage reports. These reports are crucial to qualify for various USDA programs.

Deadlines Vary: Don't wait until the last minute! Acreage reporting deadlines differ by crop and county. Contact your FSA office for specific deadlines for your crops.

What You'll Need: To file a report, be prepared to provide details like:

• Crop type and variety
• Intended use of the crop
• Total acreage planted
• Field map with crop boundaries marked
• Planting dates and patterns
• Irrigation practices used (if applicable)
• Prevented planting acreage (if applicable)

Exceptions to Deadlines:

• Late Planting: If planting is delayed, report acreage within 15 days of completion.
• Newly Acquired Land: If you acquire additional farmland after the deadline, report the acreage within 30 days of purchase or lease.

NAP Policy: For crops covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), the reporting deadline is the earlier of the standard deadline or 15 days before grazing or harvest begins.

Prevented Planting: Report prevented planting acreage due to disasters like drought on form CCC-576 within 15 days of the final planting date set by FSA and RMA. To qualify for prevented planting due to drought, there must be insufficient soil moisture, prolonged drought verified by the U.S. Drought Monitor, and verifiable weather data.

Perennial Forage Reporting: Good news for producers with perennial forage crops (like mixed forage or perennial grasses)! You can choose a one-time certification option, eliminating the need for annual reporting unless changes occur on your farm.

Online Resources: Access your FSA farm records, maps, and common land units through the secure farmers.gov portal. This portal allows you to export field boundaries and view precision agriculture data within your farm records. You can also view, print, and label maps for acreage reporting purposes.

Ensure you receive all your program benefits by filing timely and accurate crop acreage reports. Contact your local FSA office to schedule an appointment and visit farmers.gov to learn more about available online resources.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-fertnig