Carl Josefy, County Executive Director of the Jackson County Farm Service Agency in Altus, Oklahoma, would like to remind producers that they have until Monday March 17 to purchase and sign up for 2014 Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for spring and summer planted crops. This deadline applies to warm season grasses and mixed forages intended for grazing as well as spring and summer planted crops such as: forage sorghum, peas, soybeans, sunflowers, pumpkins, melons and all other spring and summer planted specialty crops grown for food or fiber where they are not insurable.

NAP covers losses caused by damaging weather conditions. Producers receive a payment when the loss is in excess of 50 percent. Losses are generally determined by the percentage of loss compared to the producer’s Actual Production History (APH). Grazing losses are determined by comparison of actual harvested production from similar forage acreage or by two or more independent assessments from grazing experts if forage production is not available. Eligible production losses are paid at 55 percent of the established value for the crop.

The service fee is $250 per crop per county or $750 per producer per county. The fee cannot exceed a total of $1,875 per producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Limited resource producers may request a waiver of service fees.

“Producers who currently have NAP coverage or who are interested in coverage are encouraged to keep accurate harvested production records,” said Josefy. “Accurate production records are required to be submitted to FSA each year for mechanically harvested or hand-picked crops with NAP coverage. Keeping good records of production and reporting losses timely are the key to maintain eligibility when losses occur,” Josefy added.

Source - http://www.altustimes.com/