By Scout Nelson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding all South Dakota agricultural producers to file their crop acreage reports after finishing spring planting. These reports must be submitted to local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices by July 15, 2025.
Crop acreage reports record what crops are planted, their locations, use, and planting details. This helps the USDA track land use and keeps producers eligible for various assistance programs. Reports must include all land uses—planted, failed, or prevented planted acreage.
To complete the report, farmers must provide crop type, planting dates, crop use, acres planted, planting patterns, producer shares, irrigation practices, and maps showing field boundaries. Prevented planting must be reported within 15 days after the final planting date using Form CCC-576, especially in cases of natural disasters like drought.
There are a few exceptions to the reporting deadline. If planting happens after July 15, producers must report it within 15 days of planting. If land is acquired after the deadline, farmers must report it within 30 days of purchase or lease.
Farmers enrolled in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) must report acreage before the reporting date or 15 days before harvesting or grazing—whichever is earlier. Some perennial forage crops may qualify for continuous certification; farmers can confirm this with their local FSA office.
Acreage can also be reported using geospatial tools. Farmers using precision planting systems can file electronic reports through approved providers, which will be shared with FSA staff.
Farmers can also access maps and farm records online using the farmers.gov portal. With a linked login.gov account, they can view, print, and manage their farm boundaries and maps for reporting.
Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, General, Sustainable Agriculture