USDA's rule specifies that farm producers maintain their own records to be verified through an independent third-party verifier. The burden of data privacy is on the third-party verifiers and other entities in the supply chain participating in this program, including farm producers themselves. Enrollment in a specific company's technology system is not a USDA requirement for payment.
What the final rule says
The final USDA rule under 7 CFR Part 2100 establishes technical guidelines for qualifying feedstock production. It does not require specific commercial products, software platforms, or enrollment programs as conditions of compliance. Program-specific requirements should be distinguished from USDA requirements.
What the official FD-CIC allows
The official calculator accepts defined inputs for crop, location, yield, moisture, nutrient sources, and eligible practices. A claim that a product or service affects the result must identify the exact input, record, or pathway involved.
What evidence would change the verdict
The claim needs to identify the exact rule section or contract term. A platform requirement should be labeled program-specific when it comes from a commercial program.
Provider or source of the claim
Commercial enrollment and software claims