What's Up at the FSA Office?
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season. No MCM Activities on CRP Acres
• August 1: Last day to request a farm/tract reconstitution for 2018 crop year
• August 17: CRP Signup 51
Late-Filed Crop Reports
Thank you to everyone who stopped in by the July 15 deadline (July 16 this year as the 15th fell on a Sunday) and certified their crops. Allamakee County certifies approximately 1700 farms every year, and the staff works hard to get these completed timely and accurately.
If you did not get your acres certified by the deadline, you can still stop in and get this completed. However, crop reports filed after the deadline will be charged a measurement service fee of $46 per farm. FSA must perform an on-farm inspection of these acres to verify crops certified after the reporting deadline. Late filed crop reports can only be accepted until the next season’s reporting deadline. If you did not timely file a crop report this year you have until July 15, 2019 to late-file for the 2018 crop year.
Revisions to Crop Reports
The Farm Service Agency will now be assessing a measurement service fee ($46) by FSA farm number for any revisions to crop reports after the crop reporting deadline of July 15. Always review your crop reports prior to the deadline to ensure that crops, planting dates, intended uses, acres and shares are correct.
Fall Forage Certification
The next certification will occur this fall for forage and fall seeded crops. This includes all hay and pasture acres you are planning on cropping for the 2019 crop year. Also, any cover crops that are seeded this fall will need to be reported. The deadline to report these is December 15, 2019. If reported after the December 15 deadline a $46 late-filed fee per farm can be assessed.
Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that to receive payments from USDA, compliance with HEL and WC provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to insure compliance. Failure to obtain advance approval for any of these situations can result in the loss of eligibility and all Federal payments.
Report Livestock Losses
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock that die due to adverse weather events. LIP compensates owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality. Adverse weather includes but is not limited to lightning, floods, blizzards, wildfires, extreme heat or cold, hail, and tornadoes.
For 2018, eligible losses must occur on or after January 1, 2018, and no later than 60 calendar days from the ending date of the applicable adverse weather event or attack. A notice of loss must be filed with FSA within 30 days of when the loss of livestock is apparent.
Participants must provide the following supporting documentation to their local FSA office to participate:
• Proof of livestock death (dated pictures, vet posting, etc.)
• Proof of normal mortality death loss (dated pictures, etc.)
• A notice of loss the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent (by phone, email or office visit)
• An application for payment by March 31, 2019 on form CCC-852
• Verifiable Beginning Inventory (balance sheet, purchase/sales receipts, etc.)
USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock. For example: Adult Dairy Bull = 1.5% and Non-Adult Dairy Cow (less than 400 lbs.) = 5%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.
Upcoming Allamakee County Committee Election
USDA encourages America’s farmers and ranchers to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their local county committee. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept nominations for county committee members beginning through August 1.
Producers can nominate themselves or others. This year the election will occur in LAA3 which includes Iowa, Lansing, Center, LaFayette, Paint Creek, and Taylor townships. Organizations, including those representing beginning, women and minority producers, may also nominate candidates to better serve their communities. To be eligible to serve, producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program and reside in the area where the election is being held.
To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nomination forms for the 2018 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by August 1, 2018. Visit www.farmers.gov for more information.
