Safety-Net Deadlines for 2014 Farm Bill Programs Loom

Farmers are being urged to update yield history or reallocate base acres as the Feb. 27 deadline approaches.
Farmers are being urged to update yield history or reallocate base acres as the Feb. 27 deadline approaches.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency reminded farmers on Feb. 13 that there are several upcoming deadlines for the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage.

Judith Canales, state executive director for the Texas Farm Service Agency, noted that the final day to update yield history or reallocate base acres is Feb. 27. Additionally, the deadline for farm owners to choose coverage is March 31.

Commodities that are covered under the programs include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice, safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

Notably, the programs no longer cover cotton. Producers who want to learn more about what qualifies for coverage are encouraged to visit their local Farm Service Agency county office. Resources for producers looking to estimate how coverage will impact their operations are also available online on the USDA website.

"For the first time in many years, farmers have the opportunity to update yields or reallocate base acres, but if no changes are made by February 27, the farm's current yield and base will be used," said Canales. "If no program election occurs by March 31, then there will be no 2014 payments for the farm and the farm will default to PLC coverage through the 2018 crop year."

There have been more than 3,500 training sessions for crop producers on new safety-net programs across the country.