IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

• 2023 LIVESTOCK FORAGE PROGRAM or LFP – Kiowa County eligible
• ERP Phase 2 and PARP Deadline – REVISED Deadline July 14, 2023 
• PRIMARY NESTING SEASON ENDS July 15th.
• SPRING ACREAGE REPORTING DEADLINE – July 17, 2023
• COUNTY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS -  DEADLINE August 1, 2023 

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. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an Employer of Choice and Currently Hiring Natural Resource Specialists.

NRCS Natural Resource Specialist applications accepted will be until July 17, 2023.

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado is an employer of choice. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

The NRCS in Colorado is currently accepting applications for Natural Resource Specialist. In this position you will assist with scientific studies and investigation on the use of soils, water, vegetation, wildlife, and other natural resources as part of the land management and natural resources program. 

Locations are negotiable: Applicants are encouraged to communicate/negotiate location availability during the interview stage. To apply or for more information, please visit:  https://www.usajobs.gov/job/734869400?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery or call the local FSA or NRCS office for the official notice to be emailed.  

USDA Announces Modifications to the Annual Forage and Rainfall Index Program

USDA is modifying the Annual Forage Insurance Program to make it more sustainable and to allow producers more flexibility. This includes allowing producers to choose the areas which they insure, rather than being required to insure all eligible acres. The changes will take effect for the 2024 crop year. 

 The Annual Forage insurance program is a rainfall index area-based plan that provides coverage to acreage planted each year and used as feed and fodder by livestock. The rainfall index does not directly measure an individual producer’s annual forage production or loss. Rather, it measures the normal precipitation deviation that occurs in and around the insured area, which is correlated with forage production. The Annual Forage insurance program include all counties in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. 

 The modifications to the Annual Forage pilot program include: 

• Allowing producers to insure the acres they choose – no longer requiring all eligible acres to be insured.  
• Modifying the program design from four growing seasons to 12 growing seasons.  
• Moving the Acreage Reporting Date to the fifth day of the month after the month of planting, which creates 12 acreage reporting dates.  
• Adding planting dates to designate the planting month and corresponding acreage reporting date.  
• Allowing producers in Kansas and Nebraska to have coverage in growing season 10 through 12 and a corresponding growing season at the start of the next crop year, which is consistent with other states where the insurance is offered.  
• Updating the Rainfall Index Basic Provisions to incorporate existing guidance on the record requirements in double cropping situations when one of the crops follow a different plan of insurance.   

 The Annual Forage Insurance Program began in 2014. Producers have enrolled for coverage on more than 6.2 million acres.