Georgia Expands Grazing Period to 365 Days
Georgia beef producers with mixed forage pastures have a change coming to federal disaster assistance rules.
USDA's Farm Service Agency says Georgia is expanding the recognized grazing period for eligible full-season improved mixed forage pastures from 275 days to 365 days, starting January first.
The change applies statewide and affects two programs: the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, known as NAP.
It's intended to better reflect Georgia's grazing conditions, but it doesn't mean every pasture automatically qualifies for assistance. At least one species in the forage mix must be a permanent perennial cover crop.
And here's something worth checking now: USDA says producers with existing continuous acreage certifications should confirm those records are still accurate.
This announcement is specific to Georgia. But producers in Alabama and Florida should also check with their local FSA offices about grazing periods, coverage and eligibility for their operations.
For Georgia producers interested in NAP coverage, the purchasing deadline is November sixteenth. Your county FSA office can walk you through the details.
