USDA Update – March 4, 2019

Eads USDA Service Center Staff

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

NAP COVERAGE DEADLINE -March15^thfor crops of sorghum forage and common millet.
MFP production deadline – May 1, 2019
COC Meeting - March 19^th– 9:00 a.m.
CRP Primary Nesting Season begins March 15^th

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.

NAP Coverage Deadline

Friday, March 15, is the final date to purchase an Application for Coverage for spring planted NAP crops such as feed and common millets. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the application coverage fee to $325.00 per person, per crop, however the FSA offices are only collecting $250.00 until software if undated. The buy-up option is also available, and producers can make that option on paper until software is available. Be reminded, producers who do not purchase coverage timely due to Farm Bill changes cannot complete a late-filed application for coverage. Purchase the coverage by the established deadline to retain eligibility.

Acreage Reporting Deadline for Perennial Forage July 15

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has established a new acreage reporting deadline for perennial forage for 2019 and subsequent years. Previously set in the fall, the new deadline is July 15 for all states. Timely and accurate acreage reports for all crops and land uses, including prevented planting or failed acreage, are the foundation for many FSA program benefits, including disaster programs for livestock owners. Producers must report their acreage to maintain program eligibility.

Producers who purchase a NAP policy for grazing on perennial forage crops are reminded of the following acreage reporting deadline; as it is not the same as above.

Producers who have coverage for perennial forage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must report their crop acreage by the earlier of any of the following:

the established acreage reporting date (July 15)
15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported
the established normal harvest date for the end of the coverage period.

Livestock Losses

Local producers who are calving and have experienced above normal morality losses, contact your local FSA Office and complete a Notice of Loss for those losses as the losses occur. Be certain to document the losses either in pictures (with dates) or through calving record documentation (daily diaries, etc.). The Eads FSA Office has LIP Fact Sheets available to be emailed or stop by the office and pick up a copy.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or disease.

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 disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management.

For 2019 livestock losses, eligible livestock owners must file a notice within 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent. The filing of the Notice of Loss does not guarantee eligibility. 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 grower’s contracts
Proof of normal mortality documentation

USDA 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) = 3%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.

Kiowa County NRCS Office

The Eads NRCS Office be open Tuesday – Thursday every week beginning March 5. There are currently two employees from other offices working in Eads on those three days.