As spring planting continues at a rapid pace, farmers are reminded to report their 2006 planted crops to the local Farm Service Agencyoffice as they complete spring planting, or no later than the June 30, 2006 final reporting date, according to Derryl McLaren, State Executive Director for the Iowa USDA Farm Service Agency.

Acreage reports are required if you participate in the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance or the Conservation Reserve Program, or apply for commodity loans and loan deficiency payments. Producers with these crops/land uses should contact their local FSA office at their earliest convenience after completion of planting to make arrangements to report their 2006 planted crop acreage. Timely reporting is necessary to determine and maintain eligibility for USDA program benefits. Producers reporting after June 30, 2006 are subject to late filing fees.

The county office can accept acreage reports from the farm operator, farm owner, a person authorized by power of attorney, tenants and share-croppers. With respect to tenants and share-croppers, we can accept reports only for crop acreage for which the person has a share.
For CRP, acreage reports can be accepted from the landowner on the CRP, operator on the CRP, or person authorized by power-of-attorney.

Acreage reports for fall or spring seeded crops are due in the county office by June 30, 2006. If your crop hasn’t been planted by the June 30, 2006 final reporting date, you have 15 calendar days after planting is complete to make your report and have it be considered timely filed.

“Producers with crops that do not fall into any of the above situations who wish to maintain an official record of their crop acreage with FSA may voluntarily report their acreage by the June 30, 2006 deadline at no cost,” McLaren adds.

Farmers needing more information about crop reporting or those wishing to set up an appointment to file a crop report should contact their local FSA office.