What's Up at the FSA Office?

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
December 6: Market Facilitation Program

Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off as soon as possible to avoid killing of the seeding underneath, but no later than September 30. Any seeding destroyed due to the bales needs to be reseeded. 

Elections for the 2019 County Committee
The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help decide the kind of programs their counties will offer. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.

It is important that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the USDA. The 2019 election in Name County will be conducted for the representative Local Administrative Area (LAA) 1: which includes Waterloo, Union City, Hanover, French Creek, Union Prairie, and Makee townships.

County committee election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters November 4, 2019. The last day to return completed ballots to the Allamakee County USDA service center is scheduled for December 2, 2019.

USDA Now Making Payments for New Dairy Margin Coverage Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program June 17 and has started issuing payments to producers who purchased coverage. Producers can enroll through September 20, 2019.

Authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) replaces the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The 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.

Revisions to Crop Reports
The Farm Service Agency will assess a measurement service fee ($46) by FSA farm number for any revisions to crop reports after the crop reporting deadline of July 15 (July 22 in 2019). Always review your crop reports prior to the deadline to ensure that crops, planting dates, intended uses, acres and shares are correct.

Changing Bank Accounts
All FSA payments should be electronically transferred into your bank account. In order to make timely payments, you need to notify the office if you close your account or if your bank is purchased by another financial institution. Payments can be delayed if we are not aware of changes to account and routing numbers.

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.