When bad weather prevents planting or frost and extreme temperatures damage crops, producers must timely report their crop losses to the Farm Service Agency, according to Susan Blachowiak county director for the Dodge County FSA.

“When wet conditions or a natural disaster prevents planting, producers must report the acreage to FSA within 15 days of the final planting date of the crop,” Blachowiak said.

Final planting dates vary among counties and by crop. In Dodge County, the final planting date for corn grain is May 31, corn silage June 5 and soybeans June 15.

The reporting requirement applies to all crops, covered or not by crop insurance, or by FSA’s non-insured assistance program. The reporting will provide FSA with a historical record of a crop should disaster assistance programs become available at a later date.

Additionally, a notice of loss application must be completed for the crop losses or damage. Producers who have their crops insured through a private crop insurance company should contact their insurance agent. It is a requirement to report failed acres before destroying the crop and to have FSA complete a field verification unless it is covered by crop insurance and the insurance loss adjuster has completed a field visit. For crops covered under a NAP policy, producers should report their losses to the local FSA office within 15 calendar days after the disaster conditions occurred, or when damage to the crop became apparent.

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