Farm Bill Safety Net Deadlines Approaching for Illinois Farmers

The deadlines are approaching for producers to take part in new safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. 

The programs are known as Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage. The final day to update yields or reallocate base acres is this Friday, February 27, and the final day for farm owners and producers to elect a program is March 31.

Nationwide, more than 3,500 training sessions have been conducted on the new safety net programs, including over 500 in Illinois.

Farmers for the first time in many years 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 bases will be used. 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.

To learn more, contact your local Farm Service Agency county office, like the one at 2701 South Banker, Suite 103B in Effingham. A reminder, too, of Farm Bill Question and Answer Sessions each Tuesday and Thursday at the FSA office from 1:30-3:30pm. 

For more information, phone FSA County Executive Director Randy Tillman at 217-347-7107.