FSA Notes

• Farmers may qualify for Livestock Indemnity Program

  

  The county executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Dodge County, Minn., explains eligibility for payments from the Livestock Indemnity Program.

• Income form needed to maintain program eligibility

  

  USDA Farm Service Agency reminds producers that they must submit an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) verification consent form (CCC-927 or CCC-928) to the IRS as soon as possible in order to maintain eligibility for 2009 and 2010 program benefits.

• Apply for Continuous CRP anytime

  

  The Continuous CRP Program allows producers to enroll eligible highly environmentally sensitive land at any time, without waiting for a signup period or competing against other offers.

• It's not too early to plan for next crop year

  

  It is not too early to start preparing for the next crop year when it comes to programs administered by the FSA Office.

• Producers should review Milk Income Loss Contract

  

  USDA's Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC), administered by the Farm Service Agency's (FSA), compensates dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a specified level. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized MILC through Sept. 30, 2012.

• Changes coming for guaranteed loans

  

  The Farm Service Agency offers loans for farmers and ranchers to purchase farmland and finance agricultural operations. FSA loan programs are designed to help producers who are temporarily unable to obtain private or commercial credit.

• Stop by FSA if you plan to tile

  

  In preparing your future planting plans many producers are considering the need for installing new tile and/or expanding existing drainage systems. As your drainage plans are being developed you should also plan on stopping by the local Farm Service Agency Office to update your AD-1026 form which is also known as the "Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Certification".

• Low-Interest Commodity Loans are Available at Your local FSA Office

  

  Marketing assistance loans are available at your local FSA office for 2011 eligible commodities. Producers should take advantage of low-interest loans to provide interim financing at harvest to help meet cash flow needs for the upcoming 2012 crop year. Once an eligible commodity is in storage, producers can contact their local FSA office to make an application. A typical loan request usually takes less than a week to process.

• Financial assistance for producers of noninsurable crops

  

  USDA's Farm Service Agency's Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops

• Keep FSA in loop when rental agreements are made

  

  It is the time of year that existing and new rental agreements are being negotiated and made. The FSA office reminds you to update your records in their office as these agreements are being made.

• Important deadlines for crop year 2012

  

  Direct and Counter Cyclical Program Sign-up for the DCP program will start Jan. 23 and will end June 1, 2012. If you missed the June 1 deadline, procedure does allow the County Committee to approve late filed applications till Aug. 1. Sign-up is an annual enrollment so producers have to complete the enrollment process with the FSA Office yearly.

• Be sure to check out FSA online

  

  The Farm Service Agency offers many resources online. With the world becoming increasingly more technology driven, information and resources that producers find useful are moving to web-based applications. This won't eliminate the need for producers to do business at their local FSA office, but some commonly requested information is becoming available on the web.

• 2012 DCP/ACRE Sign Up Begins January 23; CSP deadline extended to Jan. 27

  

  SAINT PAUL -- Enrollment for the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program or the traditional Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) begins Jan. 23 and runs through June 1.

• Final Deadline to Apply for Livestock Disaster Program Payment is January 30, 2012

  The final deadline to apply for a Livestock Indemnity Program payment is fast approaching. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 authorized LIP to provide benefits to livestock producers who lost livestock, in excess of their normal herd mortality, due to weather-related events. For 2011 calendar year losses the deaths must have been caused by adverse weather that occurred before Oct. 1.

• Sign-up is now available for USDA pilot planting project

  

  The Planting Transferability Pilot Project permits producers to plant approved fruits and vegetables for processing on farm base acres. This pilot program is administered by the Farm Service Agency and permits the planting of cucumbers, green peas, lima beans, pumpkins, snap beans, sweet corn and tomatoes for processing on approved base acres.

• Time to review Milk Income Loss Contract Program

  USDA's Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC), administered by the Farm Service Agency's (FSA), compensates dairy producers when domestic milk prices fall below a specified level. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized MILC through Sept. 30, 2012.

• Make an Appointment with FSA Before Spring Busy Season!

  

  FSA offices are encouraging producers to not wait for spring to visit the office.