John Whitaker, state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency in Iowa is reminding farmers that the annual crop certification deadline for 2013 planted acreage is July 15, 2013. Producers should file an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planting acres by that date. 

REPORT ACREAGE BY JULY 15: Deadline to certify your planted acreage for 2013 corn and soybean crops is July 15 at your local USDA FSA office. Failed acreage and prevented planting acres also need to be filed. Planting was delayed because of continued wet weather this spring, but there haven't been any announcements that FSA will change that deadline. Crop insurance filing requirements are also the same date.

"This year's continued wet weather has created planting problems throughout the state, making accurate reporting to your local county FSA office very important," says Whitaker. "These reports need to be done by the July 15 deadline in order to comply with FSA farm program eligibility requirements. Producers are also reminded that the August 2^nd deadline to sign up for the DCP signup is also coming up." 

Here's another FSA deadline to keep in mind: Acreage reports on crops covered by Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, or NAP, should be filed in the county office the earlier of July 15, 2013 or no later than 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported.

Report prevented planting or failed acreage to ensure eligibility for farm programs

To report prevented or failed acreage, producers must complete Form CCC-576, Notice of Loss for applicable crops. Reporting prevented or failed acreage to FSA will ensure compliance with current farm programs, and possible eligibility for future disaster programs. Once a CCC-576 has been submitted, it cannot be withdrawn or revised. 

Reporting forage crops and pastures is also required by FSA. For 2014, perennial forage, fall wheat and other fall seeded small grains will have a December 15, 2013 reporting date. All crops on the farm, including forage crops and pasture are used to determine overall eligibility for some FSA programs, so accurately reporting these crops is important. Since the makeup of a forage crop's stand changes over time, the legumes and/or grass mixture may be needed or the age of the stand. 

If a producer misses the reporting deadline for prevented planting, they may still report prevented planting acreage as long as the disaster condition may be verified by a field visit and a late filing fee paid. Producers should  contact their local county FSA office if they have any questions about prevented planting and failed reporting. Also, visit the website for more information.