Jayne Ruble, acting executive director of Clarke-Decatur County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds producers to report prevented planting and failed acres in order to establish or retain FSA program eligibility.
Producers must report crop acreage they intended to plant, but because of natural disaster, they were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form FSA-576, Notice of loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
According to Ruble, the final planting date for corn is May 31 and June 15 for soybeans.
If a producer is unable to report the prevented planting acreage within the 15 calendar days following the final planting date, a late-filed report can be submitted. Late-filed reports will only be accepted if FSA conducts a farm visit to assess the eligible disaster condition that prevented the crop from being planted. A measurement service fee will be charged.
Additionally, producers with failed acres should also use form FSA-576, notice of loss, to report failed acres.
For losses on crops covered by the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crop insurance, producers must file a notice of loss within 15 days of the occurrence of the disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers must timely file a notice of loss for failed acres on all crops including grasses.
Contact the Clarke-Decatur County FSA Office at 641-342-2162 to schedule an appointment to file a Notice of Loss. To find your local FSA office visit http://offices.usda.gov.