USDA Update

By Rod Johnson

August 20, 2004

The Farm Service Agency is changing election procedures for the County Committee Elections. The intent is to make sure all agricultural producers are fairly represented on County Committee’s, especially members of socially disadvantaged groups including women and minorities. The Secretary of Agriculture has published the proposed changes to the County Committee system in the Federal Register (Vol. 69, No. 158, Tuesday, August 17, 2004). In addition to increased outreach and information, three of the major changes are 1) Providing the Secretary of Agriculture with authority to nominate candidates for the County Committee election, 2) All ballots will be mailed to the State FSA Office then forwarded to the County Office in a locked box , and 3) decrease the term limit for County Committee member from the current three consecutive three year terms to two consecutive terms. The Secretary invites interested persons to submit comments no later than September 16, 2004. Comments may be submitted by: E-mail: Send comments to countyelectionguideines@usda.gov or by Mail: Send comments to County Committee Election Reform Comments, Department of Agriculture, Room 3092-S, Mail Stop 0539, 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20250-0539 Producers may request a copy of the Federal Register from the Kiowa County FSA Office or on the internet at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont04.html under August 17, 2004 and the title Agriculture Department.

With commodity prices close to or below posted county prices, interest in loan deficiency payments has picked up, and it’s time for a mini-refresher on LDP options. Note that LDP’s may be available for commodities harvested for other than grain. LDP commodities grown in Kiowa County include wheat, grain sorghum, corn, barley, oats, sunflowers, and soybeans.

Storing commodities on the farm or in an elevator: Once the commodity is harvested, you can request a farm-stored LDP until you lose "beneficial interest" in the commodity. The LDP payment rate is based on the date you apply. You must apply for an LDP using a CCC-633 before you sell or feed the crop and as long as there is an LDP rate in effect. Farm stored LDP quantity can be measured by the office or certified by you. A measurement service costs $20.00. If you are certifying the bushels, be prepared to provide the bin dimensions and the height of grain. Certified quantities are eligible for spot-checks.

Grain sold directly from the field to a buyer (referred to as "field direct"): You must sign a CCC-709 prior to crop harvest. The LDP rate is based upon the date the grain is delivered. Your sales receipts are your documentation. Receipts should include your name and address, the buyer’s name, address and phone number, the quantity sold, date of delivery, the grade, test weight and moisture.

The field-direct option is available to producers who normally dry the grain on the farm and then immediately deliver it to a buyer. The grain may also be in temporary storage on the farm for immediate delivery to the buyer.

Grain being fed out during harvest: Chopped corn or sorghum, for instance, fed out during harvest is still eligible for an LDP. Keep track of the harvest dates and the tonnage chopped. You need to sign a CCC-709 (just like for field direct LDPs) prior to harvest. The LDP rate is based on the dates of harvest. The County Committee determines your yield using the whole grain quantity harvested from other acreage on your farm, three similar farms or the Committee’s knowledge if three similar farms are not available. You have 60 calendar days after the date of harvest to provide this information to the office. Grazing is not considered harvested.