Most farmers assume they have to visit the FSA office to report their acres. But as of late 2023, that’s no longer the case
In a quiet but significant shift, the USDA now accepts electronic acreage reports for both FSA (Form 578) and crop insurance. That means less paperwork, fewer office visits—and more time in the field. Yet many producers still haven’t heard the news. With July 15 deadlines fast approaching, here’s what you need to know about this modernization and why switching could save time, money, and stress this season.
What Has Actually Changed?
At the center of this change is the USDA Acreage Data Clearinghouse—a centralized system that allows standardized acreage data to be submitted electronically by credentialed platforms.
Here’s what that means for farmers:
- You can now report acres digitally, without printing maps or scheduling FSA appointments
- Tools like John Deere Ops Center, Climate FieldView, and AgLeader can be used to pre-fill and validate acreage.
- Third-party software providers like MyAgData can submit directly to the USDA on your behalf.
Currently, MyAgData® is the only third-party platform authorized to submit to both the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) via this system.
“We’ve worked for over a decade with USDA to get this right,” Michelle Tressel, CEO of MyAgData, said. “It’s taken 12 years to build and test the clearinghouse, but it’s finally here, and it works.”
The ND Pipeline
MyAgData officially relocated its headquarters to Fargo, ND in 2024 to tap into the state’s thriving agtech ecosystem. This summer, the company welcomed a group of student interns, including several from North Dakota State University, to support its growing operations. These interns are working handson with digital compliance systems, data processing, and farmer outreach—helping North Dakota stay at the forefront of agricultural innovation.“We’re excited to train the next generation of agtech leaders right here in North Dakota,” Michelle Tressel said.
What is the USDA clearing house?
Think of the USDA Acreage Data Clearinghouse like TurboTax for ag reporting. It connects FSA and RMA programs with farmer-submitted data in one secure, standardized format. Only credentialed providers like MyAgData can submit directly.
Why Digital Reporting Makes a Difference
In an age where nearly every other task can be completed online, acreage reporting has remained frustratingly manual—until now. For decades, producers were expected to:
- Print or draw field maps
- Handwrite planting data
- Deliver paperwork in person to their FSA office
Now, producers can submit from anywhere, using tools they already rely on for planting, harvesting, or equipment data. Electronic acreage reports reduce errors, cut down on wait times, and allow real time validation before anything is submitted.
“It doesn’t happen very often that you can be in a situation where everyone is winning,” Tressel said. “Accurate digital data saves time for farmers, reduces workload for FSA staff, and ultimately cuts costs for farmers.”
Real Talk: What Farmers Are Saying
For Nebraska farmer Quentin Connealy, the switch to digital reporting was eye-opening. “What used to take hours at the FSA office, I knocked out in 1 hour,” he said. “Plus, it flagged an error I didn’t even catch and fixed it before submission.”
Connealy used MyAgData to connect his John Deere Operations Center and submit both planting and harvest reports digitally. By reporting actual planted acres—instead of relying on FSA’s older Common Land Units (CLUs)—he cut his crop insurance premium by $3,000 to $4,000 in the first year.
“If you look back over the years, we could have saved thousands upon thousands of dollars,” he said. “It’s one of those moments where you think: why didn’t we start doing this sooner?”
Tressel adds that using outdated CLU maps often means overreporting acreage by 3% to 10%, leading to inflated premiums and diluted APH yields. Reporting exact planted acres using precision data not only saves money—it boosts the accuracy of a farmer’s insurance guarantee.
Voices From The Field
Voices From Crop Insurance
Why Now? USDA Staffing and Timing
The USDA’s shift toward electronic acreage reporting isn’t solely about modernization—it’s also a response to significant staffing challenges within the agency. Recent reports indicate that as of June 1, 2025, over 15,000 USDA employees have departed under voluntary separation programs, representing approximately 15% of the agency’s workforce. This includes about 1,100 employees from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), with two-thirds being county staff.
Despite these reductions, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has assured that there are no current plans to close any of the nation’s 4,500 FSA offices. She emphasized the USDA’s commitment to maintaining frontline services and noted ongoing recruitment efforts to refill critical positions, including those in FSA county offices.
However, the broader context of these staffing changes raises concerns about the agency’s capacity to serve farmers effectively. The departures have affected various USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), potentially impacting services ranging from conservation assistance to food safety inspections.
In this environment, electronic reporting tools like MyAgData have become increasingly valuable. They not only streamline the reporting process for farmers but also alleviate the burden on understaffed USDA offices, ensuring that essential services continue with greater efficiency
“We’re here to help farmers transact in a regulatory manner, moving from manual to digital,” said Tressel. “This doesn’t just save time—it makes the system more resilient.”
What’s at Stake: Staffing & Efficiency
Q: Do I need precision equipment to report electronically?
FAQS
A: No. While precision data makes things easier and more accurate, even non-tech-savvy farmers can submit reports by mapping their fields and uploading shapefiles.
Q: Will I still need to go into the FSA office?
A: Only if your report needs correction or if you’re flagged for a spot check. For most producers, a validated digital report is accepted without an in-person visit. But maybe you want to visit and catch up with your local FSA office staff!
Q: What if I farm in multiple counties?
A: You can report to each county office electronically in one submission— no need to drive county to county.
Q: Can my insurance agent do this for me?
A: Many agents are encouraging electronic reporting, and some are partnering with platforms like MyAgData to streamline the process for their clients.
Q: What’s the setup time?
A: Tressel says most growers spend about an hour connecting their data platform the first time. After that, it’s nearly turnkey.
How to Get Started
Step 1:
Gather Your Data
Use planting and field data from a precision ag tool or upload shapefiles manually. Field maps and estimates also work.
Step 2:
Choose Your Reporting Platform
Use a USDA-approved platform like MyAgData to validate your acreage data. Your insurance agent or ag partner may help.
Step 3:
Review and Submit
Check for discrepancies or flagged fields. Once ready, submit electronically through the USDA clearinghouse.
Step 4 (Optional):
Use Managed Services
Don’t want to do it yourself? MyAgData offers Managed Services, where trained acreage reporting specialists prepare and file your repo
Deadline Reminder:
FSA acreage reports are due July 15. Digital submission gives you more flexibility and fewer surprises.
Busting the Myths
✖ You need expensive precision ag tools
✔ Field maps and shapefiles work fine. But you can use precision ag tool
✖ You still have to go to the FSA office
✔ Not unless you’re flagged or want to catch up with your favorite FSA staffer.
✖ Only big farms benefit
✔ Even 300-acre farms report significant time and cost savings.
✖ It takes too long to set up
✔ Most growers are fully connected in under an hour.
Traditional VS. Digital Reporting
Traditional Reporting
Electronic Reporting
Method
In-person visit to FSA office
Online submissions via USDA Clearinghouse
Format
Paper maps, handwritten records
Precision ag files or shapefiles
Time Required
Hours, sometimes multiple visits
Typically under 20 min
Risk of Errors
Higher—human data entry, mismatches
Lower—data validated before submission
Deadline Pressure
Must go during office hours
Submit any time, from anywhere
Bonus Savings
None
May unlock crop insurance discounts
The Takeaway
The USDA didn’t blast this update with a national campaign—but that doesn’t make it any less important. For the first time, farmers can submit their acreage reports for both crop insurance and FSA completely electronically.
With staffing challenges at USDA and reporting deadlines approaching, digital reporting is no longer a convenience—it’s a smart business move. Change can be hard. But reporting your acres shouldn’t be.
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