By: Tyron Spearman
FARMERS PREPARE TO SELECT PROGRAMS FOR 2014 & BEYOND – Brent Orr, Risk and Production Program Manager for USDA, reviewed the new Agricultural Risk Coverage(ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC)programs at the Buying Points Convention.
He posted some important dates including: February 27, 2015 as the final date to update BASE AND YIELD and March 31, 2015 as the final date to select ARC or PLC. He emphasized that the cotton base acres becomes GENERIC BASE. The generic base acres may receive payment under ARC/PLC for the acres planted to a covered commodity. These GENERIC BASE acres, formerly cotton base, can be used in the reallocation of base acres. Each YEAR, the Generic Base acres can increase the covered commodity base acres or add a new base to the farm, but must be planted. Generic base conversion to a covered commodity is prorated based on plantings.
UPDATE PROCESS; 1) Retain current yields or update 2008-2012 (Average of years planted X 90%). Can substitute 75% of simple county average yield per planted acre if not available. OWNER makes decision on UPDATE, farmer certifies at County Office. Base Options means 1) retain current (2014) base acres or reallocate base acres (Cannot increase total) based on plantings of covered commodities 2009 through 2012.
Certified yields are subject to spot check and the OWNER will be responsible for providing the records to verify the accuracy of the yields. The OWNER also makes the update decision to reallocate or retain base acres. If NO DECISION, farm will retain 2014 base acres and yield.
ARC/ PLC Election is a 5 YEAR program: (Current Producer with interest in crop makes one-time irrevocable election)
- PRICE LOSS COVERAGE (PLC) – offers price protection
- AG RISK COVERAGE- County (ARC-CO) – Offers revenue protection at the County Level.
- AG RISK COVERAGE – Individual (ARC-IC) – Offers revenue protection at an individual farm level across all farmers enrolled and covered commodities PLANTED.
- IF NO SELECTION – NO PAYMENTS for 2014. (Producer must share in risk of producing the crop.)
PLC – Payments are made when the EFFECTIVE PRICE is less than the REFERENCE PRICE for the covered commodity
- Effective price is the higher of the average Marketing Year price of the Loan Rate, whichever is higher.
- Payment is made on 85% of base acres of covered commodity
- Payments are made regardless of planting covered commodities, however generic acre must be planted.
- Reference Price ($535 per ton on peanuts) and the national loan rate ($355 per ton) is set for 5 years.
- Payments issued as soon as possible after October 1 in the year following the applicable marketing year.
ARC-CO & ARC – IC are also available, however, peanut farmers are likely to select PLC.
ENROLLMENT – After election comes ENROLLMENT – likely MID-APRIL, 2015. 2014 and 2015 will be completed simultaneously. More info later. Must be completed each crop year for 2014-2018.
PAYMENT – A 2014 payment will be issued after October 1, 2015 for PLC and ARC IF TRIGGERED.
FSA -211 – Power of Attorneys are valid for the ARC/PLC Programs. For more info: www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.
GEORGIA PEANUT FARM SHOW AWARD WINNERS – The Georgia Peanut Commission announced late Wednesday the awards that will be presented during the 39th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show on January 15 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton.
Distinguished Service Award – Birdsong Peanut for their 100 years of Service to Peanuts
Research and Education Award – Dr. Steve ‘Bug’ Brown, retired University of Georgia peanut agronomist
Media Award – 92.5 THE FARM Radio, WKZZ near Douglas.
Special Award – Steve Spooner, S&S Marketing, Inc. of Sylvester
Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award – To be announced (surprise)
Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts.
District 1, Wayne Carr, Jakin, GA
District 2, Ralph Underwood, Moultrie, GA
District 3, Olin Boyd, Screven, GA
District 4, James Warbington, Dooley County, GA
District 5, Jimmy Curry, Shellman, GA
See you at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show at the Peanut Institute /National Peanut Buying Points Association booth…we will be grilling hot PB&J’s compliments of JIF Peanut Butter and Smucker’s Apple Jelly. The USA Peanut Farmer PAC is having a Great Cash Giveaway for $100 per ticket with the reverse raffle final ticket drawn winning $5,000…right after the Farm Show.