USDA Update

By Rod Johnson

August 22, 2003

Computer "worm" strikes USDA Service Center! Last week the widespread Microsoft computer "worm" arrived in the Kiowa County FSA Office as well as other USDA Offices across the nation. We were without computers for a day and a half. The computers are great when they work but they definitely raise the frustration level when they don't. This "worm" did not appear to damage any computer files but it did keep shutting the computers down so we couldn't use them. I am about ready to go back to Big Chief tablets and #2 pencils!

September 1, 2003 is the deadline date to purchase coverage for 2004 crops under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for some crops that are uninsurable through Federal Crop Insurance, including winter wheat, winter barley, fall canola, rye, winter triticale. Since September 1 is Labor Day, applications and payment will be accepted on September 2. The cost of coverage is $100 per crop not to exceed $300 in one county or $900 in all counties. If you previously paid for NAP coverage in 2003 and want the exact coverage on the same crops in 2004, you will not need to sign any forms but you will need to pay for your coverage no later than September 2. If you pay the $300 fee, we will list all NAP crops in the county on your policy. If you are only paying $100 or $200 you need to be sure you have selected the appropriate crop for coverage. You will need to resign an application if you are adding or removing a crop for which you had NAP coverage in 2003. Native grass NAP fees are not due until December 1, 2003.

We finally received information needed to approve managed haying or grazing on CRP. Managed differs from emergency haying and grazing in that the conservation plan must be consistent with the conservation of soil, water quality and local wildlife needs and concerns. Managed haying and grazing is not a required maintenance method but is an allowed management tool to improve the vigor and maintain the quality of CRP grass. Grazing will be allowed through November 12, 2003. Haying must be completed and bales removed from the field by October 13, 2003. Maximum acreage for managed grazing will not exceed 75% of the total contract acreage a producer has in any year. Maximum acreage for haying will not exceed 50%. Haying and grazing is not allowed on the same acreage. Newer seedings of CRP grass are not eligible unless NRCS has certified the stand of grass as CRP being established. Managed or emergency grazing of CRP acres is allowed only once every three years. Producers approved for emergency haying or grazing CRP acres in 2002 or previous years will still be allowed to complete managed haying or grazing of the same acreage in 2003. Participants will be assessed a payment reduction for managed haying and grazing based on the number of acres actually hayed or grazed times the CRP annual rental payment times 25%. You must first work with the NRCS office to include managed haying and grazing in your CRP Conservation Plan. Eligible livestock producers who are renting or leasing eligible acreage from a CRP participant agree that he or she will not sublease CRP acreage.

There are now additional rain gauges available for the Colorado Collaborative Rain and Hail Study for individuals willing to monitor precipitation and hail. Kiowa County's CSU Cooperative Extension, NRCS and FSA office have been promoting the distribution of the rain gauges and hail pads. Contact the NRCS or Extension Office if you are willing to record precipitation data for Kiowa County. Additional precipitation reporting stations throughout the county will be a big help in documenting the variable in precipitation across the county that affect our crops and grass. The FSA Office needs this information to apply for several of the livestock and other disaster programs.

We are still not ready to take applications for the Livestock Assistance Program. We have everyone in the office working on the Crop Disaster Program. It may be September before we start taking applications for this program.

Be sure to check on CORN and GRAIN SORGHUM LDP's (Loan Deficiency Payments) BEFORE HARVEST! With the hot, dry weather some corn and grain sorghum will be harvested early for forage instead of grain. Corn and grain sorghum harvested for silage or hay may be eligible for LDP but you need to remember to request the LDP BEFORE losing beneficial interest (selling or losing control of the crop). If you are hauling the silage directly to a feed lot or selling or feeding it as it leaves the field, you need to request a Field Direct LDP (form CCC-709) before harvest. This will lock in the LDP rate on the date you deliver the silage. If you are in doubt about how to claim the LDP, be sure to contact the FSA Office.