Acreage Reporting Reminder Farmers and ranchers are reminded that filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses can prevent loss of benefits from FSA programs. Producers of spring seeded crops should begin to prepare now to provide your certifications. Orchardists and growers of fall seeded crops should have already provided acreage certifications to your local FSA office. Any additional plantings or replantings of those fall crops will require an updated acreage report. FSA does not accept reports of acreage prior to the crop being planted. Producers who suffer losses or who are prevented from planting a crop must also document such losses timely. Each notice of loss must include a report of acreage. To receive FSA credit for failed crops, a notice of loss must be filed before disposition of the failed crop. Acreages which cannot be planted timely must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after the final plant date for the crop being attempted. To be considered timely filed and to prevent incurring unnecessary fees, all crops and land uses must be reported by the earlier of: the onset of harvesting or grazing of the crop, or July 15. Producers with only CRP acreage to report must do so before July 15. Forage and grazing producers should make note of this requirement as it is a major change. Acreage reports should be provided before the first cutting of forage if it will occur prior to July 15. Grazing producers who will be turning out prior to July 15, should report those acres prior to grazing commencing.
Even if the reporting date is missed, FSA encourages producers to work with your local county office. FSA has provisions which allow producers to file late and maintain program eligibility. NEW FARM BILL OFFERS INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCERS
The 2014 Farm Bill offers increased opportunities for producers including farm loan program modifications that create flexibility for new and existing farmers. A fact sheet outlining modifications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan Programs is available here. The Farm Bill expands lending opportunities for thousands of farmers and ranchers to begin and continue operations, including greater flexibility in determining eligibility, raising loan limits, and emphasizing beginning and socially disadvantaged producers. Changes that will take effect immediately include: - Elimination of the 15 year term limit for guaranteed operating loans.
- Modification of the definition of beginning farmer, using the average farm size for the county as a qualifier instead of the median farm size.
- Modification of the Joint Financing Direct Farm Ownership Interest Rate to 2 percent less than regular Direct Farm Ownership rate, with a floor of 2.5 percent. Previously, the rate was established at 5 percent.
- Increase of the maximum loan amount for Direct Farm Ownership Down Payment Loan Program from $225,000 to $300,000.
- Elimination of rural residency requirement for Youth Loans, allowing urban youth to benefit.
- Increase of the guaranteed percentage on Conservation Loans from 75 to 80 percent and 90 percent for socially disadvantaged borrowers and beginning farmers.
- Microloans will not count toward direct operating loan term limits for veterans and beginning farmers.
Additional modifications must be implemented through the rulemaking processes. Visit the FSA Farm Bill website for detailed information and updates to farm loan programs.
ARC and PLC Updates and Projected Timeline The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs are new programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. FSA is still in the process of writing policy and procedure for the programs and is working towards having the first sign-up late this year. As information is available, we will work to get information out to you, primarily through GovDelivery bulletins and newsletters. Below is the current timeline, which is subject to change. - This summer all farmers and ranchers with base acres will receive a letter from FSA notifying you of certain provisions affecting base acres and yields.
- In the fall, farm owners will receive a one-time opportunity to reallocate your base acres for the life of this Farm Bill (2018). The reallocation would be based on 2009 through 2012 plantings. At this time, owners will also be able to update yields for PLC, based on 90 percent of the farm's 2008 through 2012 average yield per planted acre.
FSA is planning for a late-2014 or early-2015 signup for ARC and PLC. This is a one-time choice for the life of the Farm Bill. Failure to make a decision during this time will result in a default designation of PLC, and it will eliminate any 2014 payment. Beginning Farmer Loans FSA assists beginning farmers to finance agricultural enterprises. Under these designated farm loan programs, FSA can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who: - Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years
- Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm
- Agrees to participate in a loan assessment, borrower training and financial management program sponsored by FSA
- Does not own a farm in excess of 30 percent of the county's average size farm.
Additional program information, loan applications, and other materials are available at your local USDA Service Center. You may also visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay),
(866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). | 
No comments:
Post a Comment