Tama County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Anna Boecker reminds producers of the July 15, 2015, acreage reporting deadline for crops.

“In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements and avoid late file fees, all producers are encouraged to visit the Tama County FSA office to file an accurate, timely crop certification report,” said Boecker.

The following acreage reporting dates apply for producers in Tama County:

July 15, 2015: corn, soybeans, oats, rye, CRP

December 15, 2015: 22016 crop hay and pasture and fall seeded crops

The following exceptions apply to the above 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 completed.

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

If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing,” or “seed” then the acreage must be reported by July 15.

According to Boecker, filing timely acreage certifications with FSA establishes eligibility for programs including: Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL), Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) & Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and others.

For NAP policy holders, 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.

For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports, please contact the Tama County FSA office at 641-484-2701. Contact the office for an appointment.