Hi folks! Thanks for reading the May edition of Coffee Shop Talk with Daviess County FSA! The temps have increased and so have the planter marks. We know the physical and mental work that goes into your operations each year and all of the staff here at FSA wish you all a safe and successful planting season. There is important information and deadlines in this brief update. I know producers are busy but please take a few minutes to read this newsletter as there are many program updates and changes.

CRP Signup Updates

On April 21st, USDA announced changes that will be made to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to increase enrollment.  These changes include raising rental rates and expanding the incentives offered to producers that enroll in continuous CRP.  The Highly Erodible Land Initiative (HELI) is going to be offered again as well, which will give producers another option to enroll acreage into CRP.

All producers that have already made an offer for CRP enrollment during the current general CRP signup will be contacted by our office and will have an opportunity to take advantage of these changes.  Unfortunately, however, until our software is updated to reflect the changes that were just announced, our office will not be able to process any revised CRP offers.  And although we know that rental rates will generally be higher, we do not have specifics on that at this time either, so we won’t be able to tell anyone what their new CRP rental rate may be until the software is updated.  At this time, no deadline has been set for General CRP enrollment.

When we receive more details about how these changes will affect CRP offers in Harrison County, we will pass them along to you. If you’re not signed up for our text caster, you can do so by texting MODaviess to FSA-NOW (372-669)

CRP NESTING SEASON

Each year the entire State of Missouri designates May 1 to July 15 as the primary nesting season for local wildlife. This means there should be little to no disturbance to any CRP ground during this timeframe. No required management such as burning, disking, spraying, and no routine mowing should occur. Any special request for activity on CRP, such as spraying to kill noxious trees or weeds such sericea lespedeza before it goes to seed, must be made to the County Committee and approved in advance of the activity.

CRP SEEDING

For producers who were approved for contract re-enrollments last year and seeding were required, please be diligent in completing those and notifying FSA staff upon completion with your tickets. The seeding deadlines are May 31 for pollinators, warm season and cool season grasses.

Acreage Reporting

The Farm Service Agency reminds agricultural producers in to complete crop acreage reports. In order to maintain program eligibility and benefits, you must file timely acreage reports. Failure to file an acreage report by the crop acreage reporting deadline may cause ineligibility for future program benefits.

May 15 – Spring Oats

July 15 – CRP, Corn, Soybeans, Milo, Hay and Pasture

FSA can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools, and virtual meetings as well as by appointment in person. Appointments are not required in Daviess County but we do appreciate a heads up so we can get your maps and folders ready.

After planting is complete, producers must return the signed form certifying their acreage report to the FSA office through mail, email, box or in person by appointment by July 15, 2021.

Producers are encouraged to file their acreage reports as soon as planting is completed.