South Dakota Ag Connection - Application Deadline March 15 for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance

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Application Deadline March 15 for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance
South Dakota Ag Connection - 03/08/2010

Craig Schaunaman, State Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in South Dakota reminds producers that March 15, 2010, is the application closing date to sign up for Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on pasture, hay, and spring seeded crops for the 2010 crop year.

"It is especially important for producers to consider having all of their crops covered by crop insurance or NAP in order to be eligible for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE)," said Schaunaman. "SURE provides additional revenue protection to producers who suffer crop losses due to eligible disaster conditions."

Spring seeded crops for grazing also need to have NAP or crop insurance coverage to maintain eligibility for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. In addition, to qualify for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) and Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP), producers must meet the risk management purchase requirement by either obtaining a policy or plan of insurance, under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or NAP coverage.

Coverage requirements vary slightly depending on the disaster program listed above. Please check with your local county FSA office on the specific coverage requirement for the each program. Producers considered socially disadvantaged, a beginning farmer or rancher, or a limited resource farmer may be eligible for these disaster programs without a policy or plan of insurance or NAP coverage.

NAP is designed to cover losses due to damaging weather conditions. The program covers losses of more than 50 percent of normal yields or the farm's yield calculated using actual production histories. Payments for production lost in excess of 50 percent are paid at 55 percent of the values established for the crop.

The cost per policy is $250 per crop per producer with a $750 cap per county. NAP coverage begins 30 days after the application is filed and the $250 administrative fee has been paid. The $250 administrative fee is non refundable.

Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office to obtain additional information about the NAP program or other programs administered by FSA. Information is also available on the web at www.fsa.usda.gov.