USDA Update

by Rod Johnson

January 24, 2003

When will NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program) payments be made on additional 2002 crop losses for uninsurable crops such as millet and feed? This is one of the more frequently asked questions we receive. We are waiting for Washington D. C. to establish the rates and yields. As soon as they get this completed, they will give us a computer download and at that time we will be able to make payments. We will make these payments as soon as possible. Nationwide FSA is required to establish rates and yields for over 1500 different crops. Rates and yields vary between counties so it is a monumental task. This must be done every year. Remember the signup for the new NAP program just ended in the spring of 2002 and rates had to be set for 2001 losses before beginning on 2002. Like all levels of FSA, from county offices to Washington D. C., everyone is understaffed to handle the tremendous additional work being placed on FSA.

Only 45 working days remain to complete the Direct and Counter Cyclical Program base election process. Tuesday, April 1, 2003 is the deadline for making "Base and Yield" decisions for the new Farm Program. Owners and not operators are required to make the base and yield election unless the owner has given the operator power of attorney to act on their behalf. Don't wait until the end of the sign-up period to contact the FSA Office since forms may need to be mailed to owners and returned before April 1. The Kiowa County FSA Office has currently signed up approximately 40 percent of the farms in the county. We have lots of work still to do.

If you are having trouble deciding which base and yield option to select, contact the FSA Office for assistance. We can give you some hints that will simplify the process.

The most important thing you can do prior to sign-up is to gather your production history for all crops for the 1998 through 2001 crop years. Even if you can not gather accurate and verifiable production records, you may still benefit by updating crop bases and using the county "plug yield".

It has been brought to our attention that it is the "principal operator" of a farm who receives and completes the Census of Agriculture forms. Some owners may receive the census forms but by filling out the acreage questions in items 1, 2, 3 & 4 of Section 1 they will be able to determine if it is necessary to fill-in remaining sections of the form. The FSA Office does have a "Report Form Guide" to help answer specific questions you may have on completing the census.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is offering 20 dates at 16 locations in Colorado for those interested in testing toward their license. Training sessions closest to Kiowa County are: Cheyenne Wells - Feb 26, Eads - March 20, Lamar - Feb 11, Limon - Feb 12,

and Rock Ford - Jan 28. Testing Fee $100 - each site limited to 10 applicants. For registration and additional information contact Mary Jo Dennis at 303-239-414 or the CSU Cooperative Extension Office in the basement of the Courthouse in Eads at 719-438-5321.

The final date to request a marketing assistance loan or Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) on 2002 wool and mohair has been extended to March 31, 2003. For 2003 through 2007 years, the final loan availability date will be January 31 of the following year.