Serving agricultural lenders for more than 30 years
One central notice that protects your agricultural liens.
Central Notification System Inc. (CNS) is a Texas nonprofit corporation formed by agriculture lenders as a vehicle to prenotify farm product buyers of their outstanding liens. Instead of each lender notifying each buyer, CNS sends one list of liens to a comprehensive list of buyers, and gives you monthly proof of Food Security Act compliance.
What is CNS?
Central Notification System Inc. (CNS) is a Texas nonprofit corporation formed by agriculture lenders as a vehicle to prenotify farm product buyers of their outstanding liens.
CNS is designed to replace individual lenders' prenotification systems made necessary by the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. Section 1631). This law allowed agriculture buyers to take their purchase free of any liens, unless the lienholder gave the purchaser the described notice within one year prior to the purchase.
CNS was designed to make the prenotification process easier and more effective than other available methods of prenotification. Instead of each lender sending each buyer a notice of each lien, CNS sends one list of liens to a comprehensive list of buyers.
How does it work?
CNS gathers its data from lending institutions who subscribe to CNS. The debtor and lien information is entered into a database maintained by CNS. CNS compiles the data that is collected in the database and publishes this information in the applicable CNS Catalog. CNS subscribers receive monthly reports which will provide regulators with proof that you are in compliance with the Food Security Act.
- 1
Subscribe
Lending institutions subscribe to CNS.
- 2
Submit lien data
Debtor and lien information is entered into a database maintained by CNS.
- 3
CNS publishes the catalog
CNS compiles the data and publishes it in the applicable CNS Catalog.
- 4
Monthly reports
You receive monthly reports that prove Food Security Act compliance to regulators.
How many buyers are notified?
CNS maintains three catalogs of farm products, each with its own registered buyer list. The buyer lists are updated continuously based on information provided by our subscribers.
Livestock
Approximately 700 buyers
Categories include Cattle and Calves, Horses, and more.
Grains
Approximately 800 buyers
Categories include Wheat, Corn, and more, including the new Wheatlage category.
Cotton
Approximately 400 buyers
Cotton, notified to the registered cotton buyer list.
A nonprofit built by lenders, for lenders
CNS has served agricultural lenders for more than 30 years. It was formed by a group of agricultural lenders who made up its original board of directors, and it continues to operate as a member-focused Texas nonprofit today.
Kent Ries, an attorney, serves as President of CNS. The CNS home office is in Amarillo, with a branch office in Austin.
How do I join?
Send us your information below, or call and we will walk you through it.
- The CNS home office is in Amarillo with an Austin branch office. You can obtain detailed information about the program by calling or emailing us.
- There is no specific criteria to be a subscriber institution, other than your status as an agricultural lender.
- You may begin your service at any time, as the monthly fee for the service is based on the volume of your usage in the catalogs.
Frequently asked questions
Who can become a subscriber?
There is no specific criteria to be a subscriber institution, other than your status as an agricultural lender.
What does it cost?
The monthly fee for the service is based on the volume of your usage in the catalogs. Contact us and we can give you the details for your institution.
When can I start?
You may begin your service at any time. Reach out and we will get you set up.
What is the Food Security Act notice?
Under the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. Section 1631), an agricultural buyer can take a purchase free of any liens unless the lienholder gave the buyer the described notice within one year prior to the purchase. CNS provides that notice on your behalf.
How do I stay compliant?
CNS subscribers receive monthly reports that provide regulators with proof that you are in compliance with the Food Security Act.
Get in touch
You can obtain detailed information about the program by calling or emailing us. You can also send us your information using the form and we will follow up.
Amarillo (Main)
PO Box 3100
Amarillo, Texas 79116
Austin
222 West Ave #1511
Austin, Texas 78701
Addresses are for mailing and contact only.