After spring planting, producers should certify their 2013 acreage, the Kosciusko County office of the USDA Farm Service Agency said in a reminder Friday. Filing an accurate acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planting acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits for a variety of programs, according to the release from Cindy Vining with the FSA office. Conservation Reserve Program acreage must be reported to receive annual rental payments. Crop acreage for Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program also must be reported for program eligibility. Failed acreage must be reported within 15 days of the disaster event and before disposition of the crop. Prevented planting must be reported no later than 15 days after the final planting date. Acreage reports are required for many FSA programs. For crops enrolled in programs other than Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, acreage reports are to be certified by the Dec. 15 deadline for fall mint and small grains, Jan. 15 for apples, and a July 15 deadline for all other crops. The certification form FSA-578, Report of Acreage, must account for all cropland on a farm, whether idle or planted. Producers need to file their acreage reports by July 15 for all crops and CRP. Producers and landowners are encouraged to contact their local FSA office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to report their acres. This can be beneficial for current programs and build history for future farm programs or disasters. The Kosciusko County FSA office is at 217 E. Bell Drive, Warsaw. Its phone number is 574-267-7445.
