Going to take part in a Farm Service Agency program this year? Then why wait to sign up?

The FSA is strongly encouraging early sign-ups. Advance registrations will help get a leg up on reporting farm records and business structure changes to their local FSA office, with the some program sign-ups getting ready to go on April 15.

Enrollment for the disaster programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, including the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program will begin on that date.

Make sure your records are updated as you prepare to file an application for federal farm funding beginning his month.

"We expect significant interest in these programs," notes FSA Administrator Juan Garcia. "Early registrations should help improve the sign-up process and allow us to expedite implementation of the programs.

"I strongly encourage producers complete their paperwork ahead of time."

Examples of updates or changes to report include:

•New producers or producers who have not reported farm records to FSA.

•Producers who have recently purchased sold or rented land. Those producers need to ensure that changes have been reported and properly recorded by local FSA county offices. Reports of purchased or sold property should include a copy of the land deed, and if the land has been leased, documentation should be provided that indicates the producer has or had control of the acreage.

•Producers that have changed business structures, such as forming partnerships or LCCs, need to ensure that these relationships and shares are properly recorded with FSA. Even family farms that have records on file may want to ensure that this is recorded accurately as it may impact payment limits.

Farm records can be updated during business hours at FSA Service Centers that administer the county where the farm or ranch is located. Producers can contact their local FSA Service Center in advance to discover what paperwork they may need.

Bank account information should be supplied updated to ensure that producers receive payments as quickly as possible through direct deposits.