Producers reminded to report forage and fall-seeded crops by Nov. 15

Rock County producers are reminded that the acreage reporting deadline for all forage and fall-seeded crops is fast approaching. The acreage reporting deadline of Nov. 15, 2016, applies to the following 2017 crops:
•Forage for grazing, including pasture.
•Forage production – fall seeding (insured/no insurance).
•Forage production – prior year seeding (insured/no insurance).
•Fall-seeded small grains (winter wheat, oats, barley, etc.).
Producers are required to file an annual acreage report at the FSA Office for all of the cropland acreage on the farm in order to be eligible to receive payments for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, CRP, Commodity Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), as well as FSA Disaster Programs and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
The FSA Office recently mailed the required documentation to Rock County forage producers. So please check your mail, sign the FSA-578 form and return it to the FSA Office as soon as possible. Since we do not know who might have planted any small grains this fall, the onus will be on these producers to report such crops to the FSA Office by the Nov. 15 deadline. The following exceptions apply:
•If the crop has not been planted by Nov. 15, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
•If a producer acquires additional acreage after Nov. 15, 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 FSA 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, 2017.
NAP policyholders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of Nov. 15, 2016, or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.
Late-filed fees will apply when filing an acreage report with FSA after the Nov. 15, 2016, deadline for these crops.
July 15, 2017, will remain as the deadline to file an acreage report with FSA for most other crops. 
Producers are also encouraged to report all pasture they may have, including native grass and wooded pastures, etc. to FSA for future program purposes such as the Livestock Forage Program (LFP).
For more information on FSA programs, please visit the Rock County FSA Office, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation, or give us a call at 507-283-2369.