USDA Announces Several Deadline Extensions For Various FSA Programs

The reopening of county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices nationwide for some activities January 24 saw USDA announce that signup for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments would be extended to Feb. 14. USDA has now announced several other shutdown-related deadline extensions for several programs. Many of the changes announced have a reference date in them covering information that would have been due to be submitted to USDA offices between Dec. 31, 2018, and Jan. 23, 2019, unless otherwise noted. Final Acreage Reporting Date (ARD): If the final ARD would have fallen between Dec. 31, 2018, and Jan. 23, 2019, the report will be considered to be timely filed and there is no late fee if it submitted and filed with FSA by Feb. 14. However, this does not move the ARD and all other provisions to comply with acreage reports have not been changed. Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): If the deadline for reporting performance was between Dec. 31 and Jan. 23, it will be considered timely filed if submitted and filed by the later of Feb. 14 or a date granted by the FSA State Committee representative. Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): If the deadline for notice of loss fell between Dec. 31 and Jan. 23, it will be considered timely filed if done by February 14. Livestock Forage Program (LFP): For the 2017 program year, eligible livestock owners or contract growers with a producer interest in grazed forage crop acreage must submit their completed form (CCC-853) and supporting documentation by Feb. 28. Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): If the deadline to file notice of loss was between Dec. 31 and Jan. 23, it must be submitted and filed by February 14. Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL): If loan maturity was in December 2018, it can be repaid, forfeited or settled through Feb. 14. Requests for peanut loans or Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) will be considered timely filed by the loan availability date of Jan. 31 if filed by Feb. 28.