USDA reminds farmers to meet acreage report deadlines for program access
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is advising farmers to submit crop acreage reports after finishing spring planting. These reports are essential for receiving crop insurance, disaster support, and conservation program benefits.
The standard deadline for many crops is July 15, but deadlines can differ based on region and crop.
FSA Administrator Bill Beam emphasized the importance of timely reporting, saying: “To ensure receipt of important safety net, disaster assistance, conservation and crop insurance program benefits, producers should file an accurate crop acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage before the deadline.”
Producers must include crop type and variety, number of acres, planting dates, field boundaries, intended use, irrigation methods, and ownership shares in the report.
Some exceptions apply. Crops planted after the deadline must be reported within 15 days of planting. If land is acquired after the deadline, reporting must occur within 30 days, with documentation.
Those enrolled in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must report by the general deadline or 15 days before harvest or grazing begins, whichever comes first.
Continuous certification is available for perennial forage crops, meaning annual reporting isn’t required unless changes occur.
Prevented planting due to natural disasters such as drought must be reported on Form CCC-576 no later than 15 days after the final planting date set by FSA or the Risk Management Agency.
Farmers.gov allows producers to manage farm records online, including map viewing and exporting. A login.gov account is needed.
Producers using precision agriculture can submit geospatial reports electronically through approved providers.
Farmers should reach out to their local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov for full details on reporting requirements.