Val Dolcini, state executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in California, reminds producers to submit their annual report of acreage to their local FSA county office to meet FSA program eligibility requirements.

"Producers can maximize their opportunity for program benefit returns by filing their reports accurately and in a timely manner for all crops and land uses, including prevented and failed acreage," said Dolcini.

Accurate acreage reports are necessary to determine and maintain eligibility for various programs, including the direct and counter-cyclical program and newer programs authorized in the 2008 farm bill.

These programs include the supplemental revenue assistance payments program, average crop revenue election program, livestock forage disaster program, tree assistance program, and the emergency assistance for livestock, honeybees, and farm raised fish program.

Acreage reports are considered timely filed when completed by the applicable final crop reporting deadline, which may vary from state to state. Prevented acreage must be reported within 15 calendar days after the final planting date.

Failed acreage must be reported before the disposition of the crop. Producers should contact their county FSA office if uncertain about reporting deadlines.

Late-filed provisions may be available to producers who are unable to meet the reporting deadline as required. Reports filed after the established deadline must meet certain requirements to be accepted and may be charged late fees.

Producers should visit their county FSA office to complete acreage reporting. For questions on this or any FSA program, including specific crop reporting deadlines and planting dates, producers should contact their county FSA office.