April weather transformed, ACRE deadline near

Most everyone has heard the old axiom "April showers bring May flowers." The past couple of Aprils have produced plenty of showers alright. Last year the National Weather Service (NWS) recorded 9.11 inches of rain for April in Fort Scott. Again this year, heavy rains have recently hit Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.

Fast-forward to 2010 for southeastern Kansas, however, and the NWS record shows a total of only 2.73 inches for April at Fort Scott. Not so many showers as before, but a lot more cropland tillage and planting were accomplished this year! We will find out soon how the "May flowers" will respond.

Looking at rainfall around the country, I was surprised recently when coming across a listing of the states averaging the most annual rainfall. For some reason, I thought that Washington was the wettest state as Seattle is often noted for being rainy. However, Louisiana easily secured the mark of the "wettest" state with an average annual rainfall of 59.74 inches, followed by Alabama with a 56.90 inches average, and Mississippi registering in with 52.82 inches per year.

For comparison, Kansas only averages 28.61 inches per year as a state; but the eastern counties are higher than that, of course. (Washington State actually showed up on the list with a lower average than Kansas -- 27.66.) The Bourbon County long-term average is 44.14 inches annually.

Last year's totals, though, were interestingly higher. Neosho County recorded 66.08 inches for 2009 -- the highest for any Kansas county -- while Montgomery and Bourbon Counties followed with the 2nd and 3rd highest totals: 58.89 and 58.56 inches respectively. As stated earlier: time will tell us -- perhaps dramatically, perhaps not -- what will transpire for 2010!

The weather conditions through April allowing for a lot of field work and planting to be completed have also slowed the progress of our 2010 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and/or Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) enrollment. County producers have been working in the fields rather than completing program sign up at our office! The deadline for enrolling this year is June 1. This date is just a little over two weeks away. The deadline is mandatory for all participants and USDA is not authorized to accept any late-file applications.

As of May 1, approximately 73 percent of Kansas producers have enrolled in 2010 DCP or ACRE Programs. At the current rate of enrollment, a significant number of farms eligible for 2010 DCP or ACRE may not be enrolled by the June 1, 2010, deadline. All required signatures from owners, etc. must also be received by June 1, 2010.

For the most efficient use of time and efforts, producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office and make an appointment. The phone number for Bourbon County FSA is (620) 223-1880, then poke the "2" button on your phone twice to get through to a staff person on the line. Additional information about DCP/ACRE is available at local county offices or on line at: www.FSA.usda.gov.

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Editor's Note: Doug Niemeir is the County Executive Director for the USDA/Farm Service Agency. He can be reached by emailing him at Douglas.Niemeir@ks.usda.gov