Don’t delay, certify your acres today

Warmer temperatures are finally here. The forecast for farming activities continues to look better as we work through the month. This is great news. Combined with a dry forecast, lots of progress can be made to get the 2026 crop in the ground in a timely manner. Before we know it, the first cutting of hay will be upon us.

I challenge all our producers to get their crop certification with the Farm Service Agency completed before the first cutting happens.

As always, we need planting dates for each crop, so you must wait until you are done planting to schedule an appointment. Many FSA programs center around timely crop reporting and the recent ad-hoc programs rolled out exemplify this need. While it is fresh on your mind, let’s get this task accomplished. The first step is calling to schedule an appointment. In doing so, your FSA team can have your farm folders and program eligibility pulled and ready to assist you. Contact your local USDA service center for that appointment.

Update your records

FSA is cleaning up our producer record database and needs your help. Please report any changes of address, zip code, phone number and email address, or an incorrect name or business name on file, to our office. You should also report changes in your farm operation, such as the addition of a farm by lease or purchase. You should also report any changes to your operation in which you reorganize to form a trust, LLC or other legal entity. FSA and Natural Resources Conservation Service program participants are required to promptly report changes in their farming operation to the county committee in writing and to update their Farm Operating Plan on form CCC-902. To update your records, contact your local USDA service center.

Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation compliance

Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions are required. Farmers with HEL-determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the FSA before breaking sod, clearing land (tree removal) and about any drainage projects (tiling, ditching, etc.) to ensure compliance. Failure to update certification of compliance, with form AD-1026, triggering applicable HEL and/or wetland determinations, for any of these situations, can result in the loss of FSA farm program payments, FSA farm loans, NRCS program payments, and premium subsidy to Federal Crop Insurance Corporation administered by the Risk Management Agency.

As the calendar changed to May, it is amazing how fast time seems to fly by. Cold temperatures have lingered a little longer than we would like, but there is still ample time to get the crops planted timely and achieve optimal crop yields. We hope everyone has a safe planting season, and the weather cooperates for a successful growing season.

As you are planting this year’s crop, it is also a good time to review your farm plan and marketing plans. The commodity prices have improved over the past month compared to what they were a few months ago, which will really help your cash flow. Unfortunately, the rising input costs do not help. What are your break-even costs going to be this year? This is a good reminder about how important record keeping is and to keep your records up-to-date, so you know what your cost of production or breakeven costs are.

Helpful websites:

—Fact sheets: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets.

—Supplemental Disaster Relief Program: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/supplemental-disaster-relief-program-sdrp.

—Programs: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs.

—Farmers.gov: https://www.farmers.gov/.

Most importantly, make safety your number one priority this spring.Be proud of what you have accomplished this year. We certainly are proud of you.

Farm Service Agency is an equal opportunity lender. Complaints about discrimination should be sent to: Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov for application forms and updates on USDA programs.