Missouri farmers have one week to complete crop acreage reports for the USDA Farm Service Agency.

While acreage reporting dates vary by crop and by county, many farmers face the July 15 deadline. Missing the deadline can result in losing program eligibility.

The following acreage reporting in Missouri is due next week:

New reporting measures

Due to COVID-19, FSA implemented acreage reporting flexibilities. Farmers can file acreage reports by phone or email, or with online tools and virtual meetings.

According to Kim Viers, acting FSA state executive director in Missouri, FSA staff is standing by to help with your acreage reports, including providing maps. Along with the maps, staff will offer instructions for completing and returning the maps through either mail or email; or through commercially available, free and secure online tools such as Box for file sharing and OneSpan for eSignature solutions.

After planting is complete, producers must return the signed form certifying their acreage report to the FSA office by mail or email, or with the Box and OneSpan tools, by July 15.

After completed maps and all acreage reporting information is received, FSA will make software updates and send producers the completed Report of Acreage form (FSA-578) to sign. Producers must return the signed form certifying their acreage report to the FSA office by mail or email or Box by July 15.

Exceptions to the rules

There are a few leniencies in the reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

• If a producer has not filed an acreage report on time, the producer may file the acreage report within 30 days of the acreage reporting date. Because of the pandemic, late fees will be waived if filed within the 30 days.

FSA is also providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops, or crops that were prevented from being planted because of extreme weather events. For insured crops, producers who filed a prevented planted claim on time with the reinsurance company but filed a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) form after the deadline will be considered as having filed on time for FSA purposes. For uninsured crops, producers may start a Notice of Loss by calling their FSA county office.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policyholders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above, or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

Prepare before visiting offices

All USDA service centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All service center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other service center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment.

Service centers that are open for appointments will prescreen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment.

Fieldwork will continue with appropriate social distancing. The FSA program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Source: Missouri Farm Service Agency, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.