Existing farm program regulations still require farmers to file acreage reports or certifications for all cropland on their program enrolled farms.

The traditional May 31 deadline to file reports on planted small grain acres, such as wheat, barley and oats, has been extended to Monday, June 3.

Reporting producers should be prepared to accurately certify acreages of these annual seeded crops as well as those perennial crops, like alfalfa and Conser­vation Reserve Program and provide approximate planting dates on a field basis, regardless of use.

Producers who have already reported their crops, but now may intend to destroy them prior to maturity and grain harvest due to disaster affected conditions need to report to FSA the number of acres that will be destroyed prior to June 2 by filing form CCC-576.

Appraisals will not be performed by FSA and the only benefit afforded is the recording of planted history credit.

If you have continuing coverage under a Noninsured Assis­tance Program (NAP) policy on a small grain crop, an acreage and prior year’s production report should also be filed by the deadline too.

Timely reporting by the June 2 due date is necessary to determine and maintain U.S. Department of Agriculture programs compliance. Those producers reporting after established deadlines are subject to late filing fees of $46 per farm.

Acreage reports from the farm operator, owner, or a person with authorized power of attorney for either are acceptable.

Those who have not yet reported should contact the county office at 620-382-3714 to schedule an appointment to complete these duties.

Producers should also be aware that all Kansas CRP contract acres are in the nesting and nondisturbance period until July 16, to provide and protect wildlife habitat and permit natural, unconstrained vegetative growth.

This means no whole field or widespread mowing, tillage or herbicide spray operations or actions should be performed.

Limited disturbances such as spot treatments to solve specific practice maintenance problems are allowable.

All CRP producers should always remember to obey restricted use rules as they apply to CRP.

CRP violations include:

• Use as trash disposal areas;

• Building or facility construction sites;

• Storage or parking of equipment or machinery;

• Establishing permanent vehicle passage roads or trails;

• Cosmetic or hunting lane mowings;

• Installation of oil/gas wells.

FSA county offices shall be conducting their annual inspections of CRP acreages over the course of the year to determine proper compliance by producers with these standards.

Any failure to maintain CRP by prescribed federal conservation plans can create severe payment reduction assessments or contract terminations.

Bill Harmon is executive director of the FSA office for Marion County.

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
Title:
Comment:
Code:*

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6