Understanding Measurement Service Guarantee [Agriculture]: A Legal Overview
Definition & Meaning
The measurement service guarantee in agriculture refers to a promise made by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) when a producer requests and pays for an authorized representative to measure their acreage. If the producer does not take any action to adjust the measured acreage and it is later found to be incorrect, the acreage determined through this measurement will be used for program purposes for that year. This guarantee ensures that producers can rely on the measurements provided for their participation in FSA and Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs.
Legal Use & context
This term is primarily used in the context of agricultural law and federal farming programs. It is relevant for producers participating in various federal programs that require accurate acreage measurements for eligibility and benefits. Understanding this guarantee can help producers navigate their rights and responsibilities when engaging with the FSA and CCC.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A farmer pays for an FSA representative to measure their cornfield. If the farmer later realizes that the measurement was incorrect but did not request a re-measurement, the original measurement will be used for their program benefits.
Example 2: A producer requests a measurement service for their soybean acreage. If they find discrepancies but have not acted on them, the initial measurement will stand for the purposes of federal program participation. (hypothetical example)