News

FSA ready and able for farm bill enrollments NOW

Farm Service Agency offices nationwide are concerned about the lack of farmers making changes to farm bill programs and one ag economist says dollars will be left on the table if they miss the March deadline. 

Michigan State University’s Jim Hilker tells Brownfield if farmers don’t make the March 15^th election deadline for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, enrollments default to choices made based on the 2014 Farm Bill and there are penalties.

“You’ll forfeit any potential 2019 payments, for 2020 the default will be what was signed up for last time which was ARC County.”

Enrollment choices can be changed after two years unlike in 2014 when coverage was locked in. Hilker says farmers need to get into FSA offices now and it is very simple if they want to make changes before the deadline.

“You need to get in the office and do the paperwork as soon as possible, yesterday would have been good.”

While FSA can’t make recommendations for farmers, extension educators and crop insurance agents can and will.

Hilker says choices for corn acres are very specific to counties in Michigan but recommends ARC County enrollment for soybeans and PLC for wheat.

MSU Extension is offering a decision tool for farmers and several regional sessions to explain options.