USDA Update

By Rod Johnson

November 12, 2004

As grain sorghum harvest progresses, both yields and test weight are disappointing. The late start to the growing season and cool summer months made it difficult for grain sorghum to mature.

Agriculture producers in Local Administrative Area #3 (from Galatea to the west end of the county) may have already or soon will be receiving an election ballot for the County Committee election. There will be only one name on the ballot since incumbent County Committeeperson, Paul Zimmerman, was the only one to submit a nominating petition. Producers may also write-in a candidate’s name. Eligible voters may request a ballot at the FSA Office if one is not received by mail. Ballots must be postmarked or returned in person to the FSA Office no later than December 6, 2004. The County Committee will tabulate the ballots on December 10, 2004, at 9:00 a.m. in the Kiowa County FSA Office. The ballot counting is open to the public.

After evaluation of the grazing loss in the county by the County Committee, NRCS and CSU Extension, it was determine the county average grazing loss was only 45% for the 2004 growing season. To be eligible for grazing loss payment under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), a grazing loss must exceed 50% on a county wide average. Some areas of the county did experience grazing loss above 50% but the County Committee is not allowed to split the county for determining a loss.

The administrative fee of $100 per crop, per producer, for native grass pasture is due no later than December 1, 2004 to be eligible for coverage in the 2005 growing season. Other crops with a December 1 deadline for paying the $100 fee are alfalfa, mixed forage and mustard. The deadline for purchasing NAP coverage on most other spring crops is March 15.

Voluntary Register To Reach Minority Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that minority farmers and ranchers in Kiowa County and across the nation may now join a new voluntary register to receive information from USDA. The new Minority Farm Register is an outreach tool to reach underserved farmers and ranchers who are not currently enrolled in USDA loan, farm or conservation programs. The Register will create a shared outreach list that will help USDA, community-based organizations and minority-serving educational institutions to communicate with minority farmers and ranchers.

Individuals wishing to join the Register must sign and date a form that provides their name and address. Providing phone numbers, e-mail address, race, ethnicity, gender and farm or ranch location will be voluntary, although the additional information increases the producer’s opportunities for receiving appropriate assistance.

The Register pamphlet with the registration form is available at the Kiowa County USDA Service Center or from approved USDA outreach partners. Completed forms may be mailed to: Minority Farm Register, USDA Stop Code 0503, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., 20250. The registration information is available on the FSA’s Web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/mfr/default.htm. Registration forms are available in Spanish and English.

Telephone 719-438-5851 FSA (Ext 2), NRCS (Ext 3). E-mail individuals firstname.lastname@ co.usda.gov (Example rod.johnson@co.usda.gov, , walt.immer, nadene.gaynor, dawna.weirich, charla.ferris, marvin.watson, marlin.miller, brett.jones) Kiowa County FSA Web Site – http://www.fsa.usda.gov/co/County%20Webs/Kiowa_county.htm