Deadline to report fall acreage draws near
Producers of hay and fall seeded crops are reminded that Nov. 15 is the final day to report acreage to the Farm Service Agency.
Hay, wheat, barley, speltz and rye reported after Nov. 15 will be subject to a late fee.
A complete acreage report must be on file for FSA program participants. All fields must be accounted for: corn, soybeans, oats, or other spring planted crops will have either a June 15, 2017, or July 15, 2017, final crop reporting date.
Contact the FSA office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 2, for more specific information.
Commodity Loans
Many producers have already harvested corn or soybeans and are now storing the commodity for a later sale.
That is the first eligibility criteria to be met and it must be on-farm storage, not in a commercial storage bin commingled with other producers’ grain.
Remember that the grain is the collateral. Commodity loans are a popular option for operating capital since the interest rate is so low.
Here are more details about the commodity loan program:
- Eligibility — Reported crop production on any farm. A timely filed complete acreage report is required. Conservation compliance rules do apply
- Terms — Matures in nine months and proceeds are deposited directly into your account
- Repayment — Any time during the loan period before selling or feeding a payment can be made
- Collateral — The grain pledged for loan is the collateral, it may not be fed or sold without first repaying a specific quantity or obtaining a marketing authorization before selling
- Storage — Grain must be stored in an approved structure for on-farm storage. Warehouse-stored grains also are eligible if stored at an approved government warehouse.
- Corn — Can be ear, shelled or stored as high moisture. Corn silage is not eligible.
For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov. To find your local USDA Service Center, go to
Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.
