Sept. 16 deadline critical for farmers

A deadline is approaching for farm producers who want to ensure eligibility for crop yield losses under the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program, Tree Assistance Program and Emergency Assistance Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program.

Sept. 16 is the last day to pay the "buy-in" fee for crops, including grazing lands, that are not fully covered by crop insurance or the noninsured crop disaster assistance program, said Jeffery Hall, the state Farm Service Agency’s executive director.

The 2008 Farm Bill requires producers who wish to participate in disaster programs to have crop insurance or NAP coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested, and for all farms in all counties in which they have an interest.

Since the new farm bill was enacted after the insurance application periods had closed for crops, including grazing lands, producers who did not have such coverage could not comply with this requirement in order to be eligible for the new disaster program. The buy-in only effects eligibility for the 2008 disaster program. The payment of the appropriate buy-in fee does not afford the producer actual crop insurance or NAP coverage.

Farmers who miss the Sept. 16 deadline will not be eligible for 2008 supplemental disaster assistance programs. Contact the local USDA Farm Service Center for additional information on disaster assistance programs.