Farm service agency news

By News Team
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Fri, Nov 13th, 2009
Posted in Agriculture

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Supplemental Disaster Assistance Programs

The 2008 Farm Bill amended the Trade Act of 1974 to create five new disaster programs, collectively referred to as Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance programs. These programs include:

• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP);

• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP);

• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

• Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program; and

• Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

To be eligible for these programs, producers must purchase at least catastrophic risk protection (CAT) level of crop insurance for all insurable crops and/or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for non-insurable crops under SURE (unless the crop falls under the De Minimus rule), TAP, LFP, and ELAP.

In the 2008 Farm Bill, in general, the term "farm" means the sum of all crop acreage in all counties that is planted or intended to be planted for harvest by the eligible producer. In the case of aquaculture, the term "farm" means all fish being produced in all counties that are intended to be harvested for sale by the eligible producer. In the case of honey, the term "farm" means all bees and beehives in all counties that are intended to be harvested for a honey crop by the eligible producer.

Producers who meet the definition of a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource Producer, or Beginning Farmer or Rancher, do not have to meet this risk management purchase requirement.

Acreage Reports Needed For SURE

Because of the delay in announcing the provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, producers enrolling in the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) are reminded that 2008 crop reports are required for SURE participation. This includes crops planted on cropland and/or non-cropland, including native pasture or improved grass that will be hayed.

Physical evidence of the crop in the field is not required for Farm Service Agency (FSA) to accept late-filed 2008 acreage reports. "However, evidence of existence or disposition, is required."

The following requirements for 2008 SURE include:

• Producers must report all crops, in all counties, in which they have an interest;

• Late-filed fees shall be waived for late-filed 2008 acreage reports and physical evidence in the field is not required; and

• If the actual use of a crop is different from the intended use reported, the producer may

report the final use to the County Office; however, the intended use shall not be changed.

The provisions noted are for 2008 only. For 2009 and 2010, normal acreage reporting requirements will be applied.

More details on the 2008 SURE Program are available at county FSA offices or on line at www.fsa.usda.gov.

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