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Fall crop reporting could be impacted by FSA staffing levels, raising concerns about timely submissions

Farmers continue to navigate the impacts of the ongoing government shutdown.

A crop insurance specialist says now that distribution of ARC and PLC has started, the next challenge for farmers will be certifying fall crops. Kaleigh Whitaker with Ohio Valley Insurance says there still are a lot of unknows. “So those of you who have wheat or any sort of fall crops, you do have those obligations to go and report those acres at FSA,” she says. “Right now, we still do not have a full grasp on what that’s going to look like. Is that critical FSA staff going to be increased to where we can all get in and get those acres reported timely?” 

She tells Brownfield farmers need to make sure they’re communicating with their crop insurance agents. “Make sure if you’re planting fall crops, if you are not able to get into FSA and report, I would encourage you to let your crop insurance agent know,” she says.  “And get those reported to crop insurance at the very least.” 

AUDIO: Kaleigh Whitaker, Ohio Valley Insurance