By Jamie Martin
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) urges Montana farmers to report their planted and prevented crop acres soon after planting finishes. This reporting is key to receiving USDA benefits and ensuring accurate farm records.
“In order to receive many USDA program benefits, producers should file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Mike Foster, State Executive Director in Montana.
Farmers must include crop type, intended use, acreage, planting dates, irrigation practices, and prevented planting if applicable. Maps showing field boundaries are also required.
Key deadlines for Montana include -
- July 15, 2025 - Spring-seeded crops, spring alfalfa, grazing, CRP, hemp
- November 17, 2025 - Fall wheat, apiculture, and fall-seeded small grains
- January 2, 2026 - Honeybee colony inventories
- January 15, 2026 - Cherries and established alfalfa seed crops
Late planting or newly acquired land must be reported within 15 or 30 days, respectively. NAP-covered crops must be reported by the deadline or 15 days before grazing/harvest begins.
Prevented planting due to disasters like drought must be reported on form CCC-576 within 15 days after the final planting date set by FSA and RMA.
Farmers can use the farmers.gov portal to view maps, field boundaries, and submit reports. Those using precision agriculture can file geospatial reports electronically through approved providers.
Some perennial crops may be eligible for continuous certification—check with your local FSA office.
Visit fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center for more details.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National