Important Dates to Remember

• EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM – Phase 1 – Deadline TBD
• LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM - Deadline to submit signed application – January 30, 2023. 
• TIP – Transition Incentive Program – CRP 1-R submission deadline- AUGUST 15, 2022.
• CRP GRASSLANDS SU 204 - Conservation Plan deadline September 9, 2022
• CRP EMERGENCY GRAZING - All livestock must be removed no later than September 30, 2022.  

Disclaimer:  Information in this UPDATE is pertinent to Kiowa County FSA only.  Producers reading this and that do not have FSA interest in Kiowa County are advised to contact their local FSA Office. 

THE USDA SERVICE CENTER HAS A DROP BOX AVAILABLE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING. 

DROUGHT MONITOR

According to the Drought Monitor issued last week; the extreme and exceptional drought conditions remain in western Kansas.  Kiowa County FSA Office is not accepting requests to graze CRP Emergency grazing requests; unless the land is physically located in a contiguous county that has a drought intensity of D2 or greater.  Producers that have approved grazing plans can complete the grazing on those contract(s).  All Emergency grazing ends on September 30, 2022, and all livestock is to be removed by that day or before.  

(See High Plains Drought Monitor)

EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM (ERP) 

Producers who received a 2020 and/or 2021 Noninsured Assistance Program indemnity payment will be receiving a CCC-520 ERP application in the mail this week.  There is a cover letter enclosed with the letter; be certain to read the letter to complete the form and to be certain the crops and listed on the form match your records.

The FSA Office hasn’t been informed of a specific date of when the 2022 wheat losses will be available for ERP payments.  There also is not a date for Phase 2 – ERP signup, which would encompass those producers who suffered crop losses that were not insured through crop insurance or the FSA Noninsured crop Assistance Program.  

CRP GRASSLAND SIGNUP #204

NRCS staff has begun contacting producers for completing field checks on tracts of land that were accepted into the CRP Grasslands signup #204.  The producers are encouraged to be present during the field visit to discuss the use of the land.  NRCS is under a tight deadline for Grassland field visits as they are required to have the signed and approved conservation plan to FSA for final approval by September 9, 2022.   The first annual rental payment on compliant contracts will be issued after October 2023.  

CRP SIGNUP #54 and #56 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

Producers with CRP General signup #54 and #56 contracts that are scheduled for light disking for a contract management; may consider performing that activity before March 15^th.    Those contracts went into effect in October 2020 and 2021; be reminded there is no cost share for contract management.  The FSA Office will require copies of receipts and cancelled checks if a local contractor completed the activity.  Be reminded; contract management cannot be completed during the primary nesting season which is March 15 - July 15, annually.  

Contract management is a requirement for each CRP General and Continuous approved contract.  Contract management can only be completed on established permanent cover. The management activity must be completed prior to the end of year 6 of the contract.    

LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM aka LFP

The Kiowa County FSA Office is accepting applications for 2022 LFP. Kiowa County is eligible for a one-month payment for small grains for grazing and three-month payment on native grass.

For the three-month payment on native grass, the office will need to know the number of weaned livestock eligible producers owned, share or cash leased or were a contract grower as of May 17, 2022. For the one-month payment on small grains, such as wheat certified for grazing the date will be January 31, 2022, and the number of cattle that grazed or would have grazed the small grain crop.   

To qualify for LFP; producers must have interest in both livestock and grazing acres.  Interest in one of the qualifying factors and not the other negates eligibility. Grazing land interest is determined by the data available on the FSA-578, report of commodities filed in the administrative FSA county office.  The livestock ownership can be determined by names on registered brand and/or sale documentation or other documentation approved by the County Committee.   

Majority of all Colorado counties are eligible for LFP; it is the producer’s responsibility to contact the office and schedule an appointment.  The final date to submit a complete application for 2022 LFP is January 30, 2023.