USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers who wish to purchase crop loss protection, for non-insurable crops for the 2017 crop year, of the March 15, 2017 final sales closing date for the following crops:
* mixed forage (pasture and hay) *green beans *sweet corn *tomatoes
* potatoes *pumpkins *peppers *watermelons
*cantaloupes * cucumbers *okra *squash
NAP provides catastrophic level (CAT) coverage based on the amount of loss that exceeds 50 percent of expected production at 55 percent of the average market price for the crop. The 2014 Farm Bill authorizes additional coverage levels ranging from 50 to 65 percent of production, in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. Additional coverage must be elected by a producer by the application closing date. Producers who elect additional coverage must pay a premium in addition to the service fee. Crops intended for grazing are not eligible for additional coverage.
Eligible producers must apply for coverage using form CCC-471, “Application for Coverage,” and pay the applicable service fee at the FSA office. The application and service fee must be filed by the application closing date. For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $250 per crop or $750 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,875 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Producers who elect additional coverage must also pay a premium equal to the producer’s share of the crop X number of eligible crop acres X approved yield X average market price X 5.25% premium fee
For value loss crops, premiums will be calculated using the maximum dollar value selected by the producer on form CCC-471, “Application for Coverage.” The maximum premium for a producer is $6,562.50 (the maximum payment limitation times a 5.25 percent premium fee).
Beginning, limited resource, and underserved farmers are eligible for a waiver of the service fee and a 50 percent premium reduction when they file form CCC-860, “Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource and Beginning Farmer or Rancher Certification.”
Producers should report crop acreage shortly after planting (early in the risk period) to ensure reporting deadlines are not missed and coverage is not lost. In addition, producers must annually provide the following production information: the quantity of all harvested production of the crop in which the producer held an interest during the crop year; the disposition of the harvested crop, such as whether it is marketable, unmarketable, salvaged or used differently than intended; and verifiable or reliable crop production records (when required). The NAP crop year 2017 acreage reporting deadlines for Tennessee are as follows:
November 15, 2016: mixed forage (hay and pasture)—producers can still request to file a late-filed crop acreage report
July 15, 2017:sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, okra, peppers, squash
August 15, 2017:green beans (1st and 2nd plantings)
When a crop or planting is affected by a natural disaster, a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) musts be filed within 15 calendar days of the: 1) natural disaster occurrence; 2) final planting date if your planting was prevented by a natural disaster; 3) date damage to the crop or loss of production becomes apparent to you.
For additional program details, contact the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency, located at 647 Bright Hill Rd., or phone the office at 597-8225, extension 2.
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