10/30/06 Some deadline reminders

Washington Ag October 30, 2006 Producers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program need to recall that the deadline to apply and get funding for 2007 was moved up this year to November 17th. That's two months earlier than in previous years, which Dave Brown, assistant state conservationist with the NRCS, says will allow for better planning to improve the quality of conservation practices. Brown: "We have cost-share available for farmers to implement just a wide range of conservation practices from direct seed farming systems to irrigation system improvements, to rangeland fencing and water development for better cattle grazing. Forest management practices, you name it." Brown says you can apply for EQIP anytime but that November 17th is the cutoff to fund projects for 2007. Producers can apply at their local NRCS office. Another reminder is from USDA's Risk Management Agency, which is that November 20th is the final sales closing date for Multi-Peril Crop Insurance for apples, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, fresh apricots, fresh freestone peaches, fresh nectarines, grapes and pears. All decisions on crop insurance coverage and which level of coverage to obtain, must be made prior to the sales closing date, which again is November 20th. I'm Bob Hoff.