FSA acreage reporting dates for 2014

[December 03, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD — USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Scherrie V. Giamanco announced last week that producers now have until Jan. 15 to report crops that have a Dec. 15 acreage reporting deadline. This is without paying a late-filing fee. Crops under this waiver include fall-seeded small grains and perennial forage.

The Risk Management Agency did not grant a waiver, so producers need to consult their crop insurance agent for deadlines for insured crops.

"In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit their local county FSA Service Center to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline," said Giamanco

The following 2014 acreage reporting dates are applicable for Illinois:

• May 31, 2013 — nursery

• Sept. 30, 2013 — value loss and controlled-environment crops (except nursery)

• Dec. 15, 2013 — perennial forage, fall-seeded small grains

• Jan. 2, 2014 — honey

• Jan. 15, 2014 — apples, asparagus, blueberries, caneberries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries

• July 15, 2014 — all other crops and cabbage (planted March 15-May 31)

• Aug. 15, 2014 — cabbage (planted June 1-July 20)

The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

• If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

• If a perennial forage crop has an intended use of "cover only," "green manure," "left standing" or "seed," then the acreage must be reported by July 15, 2014.

According to Giamanco, policyholders with the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

Additionally, producers can purchase either RMA coverage, if available, or NAP for 2014 forage crops.

Late-filing fees will be assessed for 2013 crops reported after Sept. 15, 2013, and 2014 crops (with a Dec. 15, 2013, acreage reporting date) reported after Jan. 15, 2014.

With questions regarding crop acreage certification and crop loss reports, contact your local county FSA Service Center.

[Text from file received from Illinois Farm Service Agency]