Bevy of upcoming deadlines

By Daniel Root
daniel.root@mn.usda.gov

Date Modified: 05/08/2012 9:56 AM

E-mail article | Print version

There are a lot of deadlines coming up over the next couple months for programs that are administered by the Farm Service Agency. We want to make sure all producers know and understand the importance of meeting these deadlines.

Milk Income Loss Contract: With the reduction in the price of milk, dairy operations are reminded that they can change the start month an unlimited number of times as long as the change is made:

· On or before the 14th day of the month prior to the MILC production start-month (unless that day falls on a weekend, then the date falls to the previous business day);

· Before payment is sought; and

· Before the original selected MILC production start-month has passed.

If the dairy operation never changes the selected start month, the start month will remain the same throughout the MILC contract's duration. Producers need to follow and be aware of their start month so they know and understand when FSA will start calculating payments if earned.

DCP and ACRE Sign-up: Sign-up for the DCP and ACRE program ends June 1. This year no advance payments will be made. The direct payment will all be made in October.

CRP Sign-up: Sign-up for the 43rd General CRP sign-up is underway. Producers and landowners who have contracts expiring or those who have land they may want to offer for the program can make an offer with the FSA office by April 6. Contact your local FSA office to obtain more information.

Commodity Loans: 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. The FSA office has to complete a lien search and lien filing before the loan can be disbursed. The March 2012 interest rate for a 9-month commodity loans is 1.125 percent.The final date to request a small grain loan is April 2 and the final date to request a corn and soybean loan is May 31.

Farm Storage Facility Loans: Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low interest financing to producers for building and upgrading farm storage and handling facilities.

The new maximum loan amount is $500,000 and the interest rates vary by the term of the loan. Loan terms can range from seven to 12 years depending on the size of the loan. Loans that exceed $50,000 will require additional security such as a lien on real estate.

Current interest rates are: 1.375 percent for a seven-year loan, 2 percent for 10-year loan and 2.250 percent for a 12-year loan. Please contact your local FSA office for more details.

Non-Insured Disaster Assistance Program: The Non-Insured Disaster Assistance Program provides weather related loss protection for all crops commercially produced for food or fiber for which federal crop insurance is not available. Application deadlines:

Sept. 1 - Aquaculture, Christmas Trees, Ornamental Nursery, Turf Grass Sod, Floriculture, Mushrooms and Fall Seeded Annual Crops

Sept. 30 - Perennial Forage including grass/legume seed, Wild Rice, Asparagus, Rhubarb and Strawberries

Nov. 20 - Apples, Blueberries, Cane berries, sage and perennial herbs

Dec. 1 – Honey

Feb. 1 – Maple Sap

March 15 - Spring seeded annual vegetables, grain crops and perennial forage pasture.

There is a $250 per crop fee, not to exceed $750 per county, or $1,875 per producer with farming interest in multiple counties. Producers must file a notice of loss within 15 days after the date of the disaster condition or damage to the crop is obvious.

County Committee Elections: The 2012 County Committee Elections will be held this fall. Landowners and producers should contact their local FSA office to obtain more information in regards to the elections in their applicable county. Nomination forms are now available from your local FSA office to make nominations for the County Committee. Please contact your local FSA office if you have any questions in regards to the County Committee Election process.