USDA Farm Service Agency reminds producers to report prevented planting and failed acres to establish or retain FSA program eligibility for some programs.

Producers should report crop acreage they intended to plant but due to natural disaster were prevented from planting. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and Risk Management Agency.

Saturday is the final plant date for corn and soybeans in our area. This means that the final reporting date to timely report prevented planted corn or soybean acreage is June 25, or the next business day since it falls on a weekend.

If a producer is unable to report the prevented planting acreage within the 15 calendar days following the final planting date, a late-filed report can be submitted.

Late-filed reports will only be accepted if FSA conducts a farm visit to assess the eligible disaster condition that prevented the crop from being planted. A measurement service fee of $46 per late-filed farm will be charged.

Here are upcoming acreage reporting dates for planted acreage applicable for Butler-Beaver-Allegheny County:

June 15Spring barley, spring forage seeding, spring oats, rye, triticale, spring wheat

July 15Corn, soybeans, fruits, vegetables, cover crops and CRP/CREPThe following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:- If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed- If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county 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.Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.For questions regarding crop certification and crop loss reports or to schedule an appointment, contact the Butler-Beaver-Allegheny County FSA office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 2.

Luke Vogel is the acting county executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Butler County.