Coffee Shop Talk: CFAP signup deadline extended to Sept. 11

Hello Daviess County producers, thanks for reading the August issue of Coffee Shop Talk!
Wow these crops are looking great! We finished off the month of July with 7.57 inches of rain compared to a normal 4.53 inches, and boy can you tell! This is the greenest August Northwest Missouri has had for quite some time. Fingers crossed for fair weather the rest of the growing season!
Everyone is reminded that due to the Coronavirus, our office is open for business by phone, mail, or email, but we are required to leave our doors locked to the public. To serve you, we are utilizing online tools as much as possible and have a drive-up window to take care of business in person.
The remaining 20% portion of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments were certified and signed on August 17. To ensure funding remained for all producers, only 80% of eligible payments were made initially. Daviess County producers should see the second portion in 3-5 business days. The signup deadline for CFAP has been extended to September 11, 2020. If you have not already reported your production or livestock numbers, please contact the office soon.
Did you have crop losses in 2018 or 2019 due to excessive moisture, flood, or drought? If so, you may qualify for a WHIP+ payment. FSA receives a report from crop insurance that details your unit structure, losses, indemnities, and production to count. If there is a shortfall, compensation may be received through the WHIP+ program. If you feel you may qualify for a loss in either of these years, please contact the office and we will process your application. It is important to note, 2019 prevent plant is not eligible for a WHIP+ payment.
Have you seen the new loan rates for a farm storage facility loan? FSA can make loans for grain bins, hay sheds, grain trailers, augers and auger wagons, and several other grain and forage handling equipment types. Depending on the funds needed, you could acquire a 3 to 12-year loan term with fixed interest rates of 0.25%- 0.75%. FSA will finance 85% to 95% of the cost, again depending on the amount of funding needed. Our FSFL program is a good source of cheap financing. Construction cannot begin before approval.
The primary nesting season ended on July 15, and as a result, CRP maintenance activities may now take place. Up to ½ of each CRP field on a given contract can be brush cut to control trees and weeds from July 16-Setember 1 without any prior request needed. Height should be no less than 6 inches and mowing more than once per year for cosmetic purposes is prohibited. Let’s keep it clean folks!
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Have a great rest of the summer!
Mandi Bird, CED