With signup in the wheat and, feed grain programs

With signup in the wheat and, feed grain programs over, and planting about to begin, farmers in Rappahannock County should apply for measurement service at the County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) Office. This reminder came today from H,S. Barksdale, Chairman of the Rappahannock County ASC Committee, who said measurement service often saves farmers money. “If a farmer plants before measurement, he may plant too much and be out not only the cost of planting, but may also be out the cost of plowing up the crop. If he plants less than his allowed acreage, he may lose money by not having as much production as he is entitled to.” Measurement service is offered by the County ASCS Office to farm program participants as a sure way to know they are in compliance with acreage requirements of farm programs.

When a farmer participates in the wheat or feed grain program, he certifies to the precise acreage he has in these crops.

The farmer must also be certain he has enough additional acres in conserving use to meet his conserving base requirement. Errors in certification can result in reduction or loss of payments.

Mr. Barksdale describes certification as a “do-it-yourself’ system by which farmers report their crop and program acres to the County ASCS Office. The Chairman cautioned that farm acreages must be certified before the crop disposition date, that is, the final date after which the crop may not be plowed under for compliance.

Early certification will help speed up program payments. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin announced earlier this year that final payments to farm program participants in 1970 will be made as soon as possible after July 1. Payments are expected to be completed as much as two months earlier than in previous yean.