FSA Highlights 2021 Spring Crop Acreage Reporting

SIDNEY – Cheyenne County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Brad Fraass is reminding area producers that accurate and timely reporting of acres for all crops and land uses is an FSA program eligibility requirement.

The deadline for acreage certification is July 15, 2021. This includes common spring-planted crops, such as oats, corn, peas, grain sorghum, millet, sunflowers, and etc but also includes Conservation Reserve Program acres and perennial grass.

“In order to comply with program eligibility requirements, all producers must file an accurate crop acreage report by the deadline,” said Fraass. “Our staff is able to assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”

The Cheyenne County FSA office mailed maps to producers with instructions for completing the maps. After planting is complete, producers should return completed maps back to the office as soon as possible. After completed maps and all acreage reporting information is received, Cheyenne County FSA will make the certification updates and then utilize your established appointment time for reviewing and signing of the Report of Acreage form (FSA-578).

The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:

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

Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant, but due to natural disaster, were unable to plant. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders 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.