Farm Bill compliance dates announced

2014 Farm Bill safety net programs have several compliance dates now being announced by the USDA FSA that farm landowners and tenant operators need to know.

The USDA announced key dates for farm owners and producers to keep in mind regarding the new 2014 Farm Bill established programs, Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). These new programs, designed to help producers better manage risk, will usher in one of the most significant reforms to U.S. farm programs in decades.

Dates associated with ARC and PLC that farm owners and producers need to know:

  • Sept. 29, 2014 to Feb. 27, 2015: Land owners may visit their local Farm Service Agency office to update yield history and/or reallocate base acres.
  • Nov. 17, 2014 to March 31, 2015: Producers make a one-time election of either ARC or PLC for the 2014 through 2018 crop years.
  • Mid-April 2015 through summer 2015: Producers sign contracts for 2014 and 2015 crop years.
  • October 2015: Payments for 2014 crop year, if needed.

USDA leaders will visit with producers across the country to share information and answer questions on the ARC and PLC programs.

The Michigan State University Extension Farm Information Resource Management (FIRM) work group has a team of field educators gearing up to provide numerous face to face meetings for farm producers and landowners to help them gain an understanding of the options available to them under the new Farm Bill programs. A website containing resources is available and informational events are being scheduled that will help farmers learn more about how the programs will affect them.

The USDA helped create online tools to assist farm owners and producers in the decision process. They allow farm owners and producers to enter information about their operation and see projections that show what ARC and/or PLC will mean for them under possible future scenarios. Farm owners and producers can access the online resources from the convenience of their home computer or mobile device at any time.

Commodities covered in the new programs include barley, canola, corn, grain sorghum, oats, rapeseed, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Producers can contact their local FSA office for more information or to schedule an appointment.

For additional information and links to Farm Bill resources, you can visit the Michigan State University Extension’s FIRM web page.

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