What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• January 1: Office closed for News Years Day

Report Livestock Losses
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, extreme heat or extreme cold.

For 2017, eligible losses must occur on or after January 1, 2017, 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 no later than 90 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.

• Proof of death documentation
• Copy of growers contracts
• Proof of normal mortality documentation

The Iowa State FSA Committee has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. Adult Beef Cow = 1.5% and Non-Adult Beef Cattle (less than 400 pounds) = 5%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions. Producers who suffer livestock losses in 2017 must file both of the following:

• A notice of loss the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent
• An application for payment by March 31, 2018.

Additional Information about LIP is available at your local FSA office or online at: www.fsa.usda.gov.

2018 ACR-Co Program Sign-up
Sign up for the 2018 farm program, Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC-Co) has begun. Farmers who have a risk in what is planted on the farm are eligible to sign contracts for their commensurate share. These shares should match what you present to crop insurance agents when buying coverage for your 2018 crops.

Farm or Tract Reconstitutions
If you are experiencing ownership or operating changes, purchasing or acquiring new land, or establishing a trust or legal entity, please stop by the office and let us know as soon as the change has occurred. The sooner we know, the sooner we can process the updates and prevent issues that may arise later in the year. 

Marketing Assistance Loans
The FSA office would like to remind producers that marketing assistance loans are available through our office.  The 2017 loan rates are $1.87 for corn, and $4.99 for beans.  If you do take out a marketing assistance loan with us, we will need a copy of your driver’s license, as well as your spouse’s. You are also responsible for maintaining the quality of the grain for the life of the loan, and for requesting permission from us prior to moving or feeding any grain under loan. 

USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Text Alerts to Allamakee County Producers
Producers in Iowa can now receive notifications from their county office through text messages on their cell phone. Whether producers are in the field, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notifications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates.

Producers can text IAAllamakee to FSANOW (372-669) to subscribe to text message alerts from Allamakee County. Standard text messaging rates apply. Contact your wireless carrier for details associated with your particular data plan. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.

Contact your local FSA office at (563) 568-2148 if you have questions regarding FSA’s email news service or the new text message option.