The annual requirement of crop certification deadline is Thursday, July 15, and local producers are encouraged to visit the Pike-Bullock County Farm Service Agency and file their reports.

Jeff Knotts, executive director of the Pike-Bullock County Farm Service Agency, said reporting to the FSA office can also be referred to as crop reporting or acreage reporting.

“Filing an accurate and timely report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent loss of benefits for a variety of Farm Service Agency programs,” Knotts said.

All cropland on the farm must be reported to receive benefits from the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program, Average Crop Revenue Election Program, marketing assistance loans, deficiency payments, Conservation Reserve Program, Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program and Livestock Forage Program.

“It is very important that producers report crop losses, including those insured under Federal Crop Insurance and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program within 15 days of the date the damage occurred or 15 days from the date damage is apparent,” Knotts said. “Losses and/or damages to crops must be reported after each disaster occurrence and in a timely manner to insure continued eligibility for benefits.”

Knotts said it is important for producers to visit the FSA county office to file the required certification report before the July 15 deadline.