The PCCP is part of the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, a set of programs aimed at providing financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who have felt the impact of market disruptions in the market. COVID-19.

About the Premium Benefit – PCCP offers premium support to growers who have insured their spring harvest with most insurance policies and planted a qualifying cover crop in the 2021 crop year. Premium support is $ 5 per acre, but no more than the total premium due.

All cover crops to be declared to the FSA are eligible and include cereals and other grasses, legumes, crucifers and other non-legume deciduous trees, as well as mixtures of two or more cover crop species planted at the same time.

To receive the benefits of this program, growers must file an Area Declaration Form (FSA-578) for cover crops with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) by June 15, which is different. of the normal area declaration date. The normal deadline for reporting acreage to the FSA has not changed, but to qualify for the premium, producers must file by June 15. . To complete the form, growers should contact and schedule an appointment with their local USDA service center.

Program Details – Some policies are not eligible because they have underlying coverage, which would already receive the benefit or are not designed to be reported in accordance with the Area Declaration Form (FSA-578). PCCP is not available for Whole Farm Income Protection, Enhanced Coverage Option, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Rating, and Additional Coverage Option. Stacked Income Protection (STAX) and Margin Protection (MP) policies are only eligible for PCCP if they are insured as a stand-alone policy. STAX and MP riders to the underlying policies are not eligible for the CNCP.

The CNCP does not change the acreage declaration dates, reporting requirements or any other condition of the crop insurance policy.

Cover Crop Conservation Practice Standard – Meanwhile, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made a decision not to update its conservation practice standard for cover crops. The NRCS initially proposed to restrict the mechanical harvesting of cover crops, but after considering comments from growers and farm groups, the NRCS recognizes that this could present challenges for growers using this important conservation practice. The latest version of the Conservation Practices Standard can be found in the Field Office Technical Guide under Section IV, Conservation Practices and Supporting Documents, by State.

RMA allows additional flexibilities due to the coronavirus. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Transition from expiring CRP lands to novice, veteran or underserved farmers and ranchers

CRP contract holders are encouraged to transfer their acres from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to new, seasoned or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers through the Transition Incentive Program (TIP). TIP provides annual lease payments to the landowner or operator for up to two additional years after the CRP contract expires.

CRP contract holders no longer need to be a retired or retired owner or operator to transfer their land. TIP participants must agree to sell, have a sales contract, or agree to lease long-term land (at least five years) listed in an expiring CRP contract to a novice, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who is not. not a family member.

Beginning, veteran or socially disadvantaged farmers and herders and CRP participants can register for TIP from two years before the expiration date of the CRP contract. The PIT application must be submitted prior to entering into the lease or sale of the affected land. New landowners or tenants who return land to production should use sustainable grazing or farming methods.

Maintain livestock inventory records

Livestock inventory records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster, so be sure to keep them up to date.

In the event of a disaster, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist you if you have suffered excessive losses of livestock and pasture or fodder due to qualifying natural disasters.

To participate in livestock disaster assistance programs, you will need to provide verifiable documentation of loss of death resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA office within 30 calendar days after loss of livestock is apparent. For pasture or feed losses, you must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent and must keep documentation and receipts.

You should record all relevant information regarding livestock inventory records, including:

Documentation of number, type, type and weight range of livestock

Starting inventory supported by birth records or purchase receipts.

File a notice of loss for failed and prevented acres planted

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds you to report prevented planted and stranded areas to establish or maintain FSA eligibility for certain programs.

You must report the cultivated area that you intended to plant, but which could not be planted due to a natural disaster. The prevented planting area must be reported on Form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by the FSA and the Risk Management Agency (RMA).

If you are unable to report the prevented planting area within 15 calendar days of the final planting date, a late filed report may be submitted. Late filed reports will only be accepted if the FSA visits the farm to assess the qualifying catastrophic situation that prevented the crop from being planted. A measurement service fee will be charged.

In addition, if you have broken down acres, you must also use Form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, to report the broken down acres.

For hand-harvested crops and certain perishable products, you must notify the FSA of the damage or loss through the county administrative office within 72 hours of the date the damage or loss becomes apparent. This notification can be provided by filing a CCC-576, by email, fax or telephone. If you notify the county office by a method other than filing the CCC-576, you must still file a CCC-576, Notice of Loss, within the required 15 calendar days.

For crop losses covered by the Uninsured Agricultural Disaster Assistance (PAN) Program, you must file a notice of loss within 15 days of the disaster occurring or when the losses become apparent. You must timely file a Loss Notice for failed acres on all crops, including grasses.

Supervised credit from FSA

Farm Service Agency (FSA) agricultural loans are considered supervised loans. Unlike loans from a commercial lender, FSA loans are meant to be temporary in nature. Our goal is to help you transition to trade credit, and our farm credit staff are available to assist borrowers through training and credit counseling.

The FSA team will help borrowers identify their goals to ensure financial success. FSA staff will advise borrowers on developing strategies and a plan to achieve your goals and transition to commercial credit. FSA borrowers are responsible for the success of their farming operations, but FSA staff will play an advisory role in providing the tools necessary to help you meet your operational goals and manage your finances.

Save time – Make an appointment with FSA

Producers are encouraged to call their local FSA office to make an appointment to ensure maximum use of their time and to ensure FSA staff are available to meet their important business needs. Please call your local FSA office in advance to schedule an appointment and to discuss any records or documentation that may be needed during your appointment. To find your local FSA office, visit: offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.