USDA UPDATE

By Rod Johnson

December 26, 2003

Happy Holidays and we will see you next year. There will not be a USDA UPDATE for the January 2, issue. The Kiowa County Press will publish the NEW YEAR RETROSPECTIVE issue with a look back to events of 2003.

The 2003 Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) grass drought loss for Kiowa County has been approved at 75% for Kiowa County. This will be approximately 97¢ per acre. On December 18, a letter and application for payment was mailed to all producers with NAP coverage for native grass. The signed request for payment must be received before payment can be issued. If you want to receive payment in 2003, contact the office as soon as possible.

The proposed rule for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) is available for comment. You may access it via the Internet through the NRCS home page at http://ww.nrcs.usda.gov. Select "Farm Bill". NRCS is seeking comments on all facets of the program. Please send your comments by mail to Conservation Operations Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), P.O. Box 2890, Washington DC 20013 or by e-mail to david.mckay@usda.gov. A Fact Sheet on CSP is also available from this site.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program to support ongoing conservation stewardship of agricultural lands by providing payments to producers who maintain and enhance the condition of natural resources. CSP will identify and reward those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. For additional information, contact the NRCS Office in Eads and talk to Marvin or Marty.

Producers have until January 31, 2004 to request Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) or loan for 2003 crop wool or mohair not yet marketed and remain in storage. To be eligible for the 9 month loan, producers must demonstrate compliance with the wetland and highly erodible land conservation requirements.