USDA Farm Service Agency Announces Expanded Grazing Period in Georgia for Full Season Improved Mixed Forage Pastures

(Athens, Ga., October 8, 2026) - USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia is announcing an expanded 365-day grazing period for full season improved mixed forage pasture types. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, this change will apply to all Georgia counties for eligible mixed forage acres, expanding Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) eligibility for producers impacted by drought and other qualifying natural disaster events.

"This policy improvement provides a greater safety net to help safeguard our family farms, improve profitability, and promote sustainability in our farming communities," said Duncan Johnson, State Executive Director in Georgia. "The extended grazing period better reflects how producers actually manage their operations and provides a longer window of protection for Georgia producers through our disaster assistance programs."

FSA is extending the grazing period from a 275-day to a 365-day grazing period. Mixed forage pastures are valuable for producers seeking extended grazing coverage on their livestock operations. Producers who combine multiple forage species such as grasses, legumes, and brassicas, often see improved forage quality, increased drought tolerance, and better seasonal distribution of forage availability. In Georgia, at least one forage species in the mixture must be a permanent (perennial) cover forage crop.

Acreage Certification Reminders

Producers must have a risk in the pasture or hay crop acres to complete the acreage certification process. Producers who previously certified grazing land through a continuous certification should contact their FSA county office to ensure that certification remains in place and accurately reflects the applicable producers and their respective shares. As a reminder, the deadline to purchase NAP coverage is Nov. 16, 2026. For additional information, producers should contact their localFSA county office.

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