Agricultural producers in California must complete their crop acreage reports for their annual spring planted crops and perennial forage by the July 15th deadline. Due to the pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities.

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USDA California FSA Reminds Producers to Complete Crop Acreage

Agricultural producers in California must complete their crop acreage reports for their annual spring planted crops and perennial forage by the July 15th deadline. Due to the pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities.

Producers can complete their acreage reports by calling their local County FSA office to schedule an appointment. FSA can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools and virtual meetings.

All FSA county offices will provide maps to producers along with instructions for completing and returning the maps through either [mail, email or through commercially available free and secure online tools such as Box for file sharing and OneSpan for eSignature solutions].

After completed maps and all acreage reporting information is received, FSA will make software updates and send producers the completed Report of Acreage form (FSA-578) to sign. Producers must return the signed form certifying their acreage report to the FSA office through [mail, email, or Box] by July 15th.

The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:

  • If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
  • If a producer has not timely filed an acreage report, the producer may file the acreage report within 30 days of the acreage reporting date. Because of the pandemic, late fees will be waived if filed within the 30 days.

FSA is also providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. For insured crops, producers who timely filed a prevented planted claim with the reinsurance company but filed a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) form after the deadline will be considered timely filed for FSA purposes. For uninsured crops, producers may start a Notice of Loss by calling their FSA county office.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

Questions? Please contact your local FSA Office.

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