(Pleasanton, TX), June 21, 2012 –Atascosa County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Scott Heffernan, reminds producers to report crop losses resulting from a weather-related disaster event within 15 days of the disaster or when the loss first becomes apparent, this includes crops covered by crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and crops without insurance coverage.

"Crop losses are acres that were timely planted with the intent to harvest, but the crop failed and could not be harvested because of a disaster related condition," said Heffernan. "In order to meet FSA program eligibility requirements, producers must report crop losses to the Atascosa County FSA office within 15 days of the disaster occurrence or when the loss first becomes apparent," he said.

Producers who have NAP coverage will be required to report crop losses on an FSA form CCC-576 - "Notice of Loss and Application for Payment Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program."

According to Heffernan, it is important that producers file accurate and timely reports before the crop is destroyed to prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits.

Failed acreage reports allow the Agency to maintain an accurate record to report how many acres of each crop were destroyed or damaged by a disaster event. This information is used to determine county and state eligibility for programs like the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, as well as future federal farm programs as legislated by Congress. Acreage reports are also used by other federal and state agencies.

For questions regarding crop losses, please contact the Atascosa County FSA office at 830-569-3845 ext 2.