Loan Deficiency Payment deadline May 31

Producers are reminded the final commodity loan and Loan Deficiency Payment availability date for 2011 crop year for corn, dry peas, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, safflower seed, small chickpeas, soybeans and sunflower seed is May 31.
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Flowing grain in a storage bin or gravity-flow wagon is like quicksand and it can kill quickly. It takes less than five seconds for a person caught in flowing grain to be trapped. The mechanical aspects of grain handling equipment also present a real danger. Augers, power take-offs and other moving parts can grab people or clothing.
These hazards, along with pinch points and missing shields, are dangerous enough for adults, not to mention children. It always is advisable to keep children a safe distance from operating farm equipment. Always use extra caution when backing or maneuvering farm machinery. Ensure everyone is visibly clear and accounted for before engaging machinery.
The FSA wants all farmers to have a productive crop year, and that begins with putting safety first.
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Producers renting or purchasing land that may have a converted wetland status need to check with the county office to learn if there are restrictions.
Farm bill regulations provide that, unless exempt, people are ineligible for benefits under certain programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture if they plant an agricultural commodity on a wetland that was converted after Dec. 23, 1985, or convert a wetland after Nov. 28, 1990.
The FSA may not approve any loan or loan guarantee to drain, dredge, fill, level or otherwise manipulate a wetland, or to engage in any activity that results in impairing or reducing the flow, circulation or reach of water except in the case of activity related to the maintenance of previously converted wetlands.
The following provides permitted uses and restrictions of certain wetlands for compliance with wetland rules: Wetlands can be farmed under natural conditions, but not converted; Wetlands converted before Nov, 28, 1990, cannot be planted to an agricultural commodity and retain eligibility for benefits; Wetlands converted after Nov. 28, 1990, must either be restored to wetland status or mitigated to regain eligibility for program benefits; Wetlands that can be farmed under natural conditions cannot be manipulated in any way, unless the Natural Resources Conservation Service determines the work would have a minimal effect on the wetland values; Wetlands converted before Dec, 23, 1985, can be farmed and maintained.
Additional information about wetlands is available at the USDA Service Center, Wyandot County FSA, at 419-294-2127.

By VICKI ORIANS
FSA Director

Posted by Daily Chief on April 24, 2012. Filed under Farm Country. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry