Two deadlines (and maybe three) farmers won’t want to miss as of July 15. (Please note that FSA has extended the reporting deadline to July 22 as of 7/11/2019)
1. Prevent plant reporting deadline with your Crop Insurance Agent. This is a hard deadline for reporting with USDA-RMA (United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency). The date is July 15. No exceptions or extensions will be made. If you have questions contact your insurance agent directly. Refer to https://www.rma.usda.gov/-/media/RMAweb/Handbooks/Loss-Adjustment-Standards—25000/Prevented-Planting/2019-25370-Prevented-Planting-Standards.ashx?la=en or https://www.rma.usda.gov/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Prevented-Planting-Flooding
2. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 22 – The require under #2 still stand other than the date deadline. USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the deadline to report prevent plant acres in some states. Producers in 10 states including Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Vermont, and Nebraska now have until July 15th to report acres they intended to plant this spring but could not due to weather conditions. The new deadline is the same as the FSA crop acreage reporting deadline that was already in place. The July 15th extension does not apply to Risk Management Agency crop insurance reporting deadlines or crops covered by FSA’s Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Producers should contact their local FSA office for more information. Producers must make the contact with the FSA Office and have their name recorded on the registrar by July 15 even though their appointment to certify may be after the July 15 date.
3. Additionally, NRCS released a program for cover crops on Prevent Plant acres. NRCS will utilize the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for this special disaster recovery sign-up. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers protect the environment while promoting agricultural production.
Cover crops provide an alternative to fields going fallow and remaining uncovered. Cover crops also improve soil vitality by adding nutrients and organic matter. Many fields that are saturated for a long period of time face a loss of soil organisms. Cover crop roots re-establish soil health and create pathways for air and water to move through the soil, which is key to restoring it. There are significant changes with cover crops and we want producers to be successful in their 2020 planting year. Educational cover crop workshops and field days are readily available throughout Ohio to learn more. Additional information is also available on the NRCS website and farmers.gov/prevented-planting. Landowners should coordinate with other USDA farm agencies when participating in related programs. It is a producer’s responsibility to work directly with their insurance agent and RMA to ensure they understand their policy. The first batch of applications are due July 12, 2019. To apply for this special EQIP opportunity, visit your local USDA Service Center. Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2019, until funding is exhausted. FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE
