File those acreage reports!

Agricultural producers in Wisconsin should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline, after planting is complete. Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline, in order to receive program benefits.

An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch, its intended use and location. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops, and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.

The following acreage reporting dates are applicable in Wisconsin:

• July 15 – spring-seeded crops of beans (dark red kidney, light red kidney), perennial forage, hemp, pasture, rangeland, CRP

• Aug. 15 – beans (all types other than dark red kidney and light red kidney), cabbage, cucumbers To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide crop, and crop type or variety; intended crop use; number of crop acres; map with approximate crop boundaries; planting date(s); planting pattern, when applicable; producer shares; irrigation practice(s); acreage prevented from planting, when applicable; and other required information The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:

• If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

• If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days, after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant, but were unable to because of a natural disaster, including drought.