With the continued hot dry weather conditions throughout Ohio, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages farmers to document and report crop losses or low crop yields to their local FSA office.
Producers with crops covered by crop insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent. Prevented planting must be reported no later than 15 days after the final planting date.
Crop losses are acres that were timely planted with the intent to harvest, but the crop failed because of a natural disaster. It is important that producers file accurate and timely loss reports to prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits.
Low yield acreage does need to be reported and producers are encouraged to keep good production records on acreage with a low crop yield to document crop losses. In addition, farmers are encouraged to report crop conditions to their county FSA offices so that the information may be used to support the potential request for a disaster declaration.
Farmers are reminded that they may revise FSA crop reports free of charge. A crop report revision, however, must be verified by physical evidence of the crop in a field spot check.
The USDA’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011, however USDA reminds livestock producers to keep thorough records of losses, including additional expenses during this hot dry weather, should a program become available.
If you have additional questions about failed crop acreage or crop losses covered by the Non-Insured Assistance Program (NAP) contact your local FSA office.
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