By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding producers to file their crop acreage reports with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) following spring planting. July 15 is the key deadline for most crops, but specific dates vary by county and crop type.
“To ensure receipt of important safety net, disaster assistance, conservation and crop insurance program benefits, producers should file an accurate crop acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage before the deadline,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam.
Crop acreage reports should include the crop type, planting date, intended use, planting pattern, irrigation practice, producer shares, and maps showing crop boundaries.
Exceptions exist. If planting is delayed, acreage must be reported within 15 days of completion. For newly acquired land, reports are due within 30 days of purchase or lease, with proper documentation.
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) participants must report acreage by the general deadline or 15 days before harvesting or grazing begins—whichever comes first.
Perennial forage crop producers may qualify for continuous certification, which allows yearly automatic reporting unless changes occur.
Producers must also report prevented planted acreage due to natural disasters like drought by submitting Form CCC-576 within 15 days of the final planting date.
The farmers.gov portal offers access to FSA farm records, maps, and land unit details. A login.gov account linked to a USDA customer record is required.
Farmers can also file geospatial acreage reports electronically through approved insurance providers, using precision agriculture boundaries.
To learn more, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov for guidance.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National