Livestock Disaster Assistance Program, RMA Spring Closing Date & Air Quality Plan

Livestock Disaster Assistance Program, RMA Spring Closing Date & Air Quality Plan

Livestock Disaster Assistance Program, RMA Spring Closing Date & Air Quality Plan

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

The USDA says it is implementing the livestock disaster assistance program within 60 days, rather than the usual six to eight months. Producers will be able to sign up for the program beginning April 15th, for not only 2014 losses, but for losses they experienced in 2012 and 2013. Ag Secretary Vilsack says the program will pay ranchers and farmers for lost animals and provide money for them to purchase feed. The $100 million program was reauthorized in the recently passed farm bill.

RMA Risk Management Specialist Jo Lynne Seufer would like to remind producers of the quickly approaching spring sales closing date for multiple peril crop insurance programs.

SEUFER: We have our primary vegetable sales closing date spring crops March 17. That's the last day for our producers to buy or change their coverage on all spring seeded multi-peril crop insurance policies, and it's also the last day for producers to purchase a 2014 Adjusted Gross Revenue Lite policy for the very first time. It's a whole farm crop insurance policy that protects pretty much everything that a producer grows on their farm.

Producers should visit their local crop insurance agent for specific details regarding the 2014 crop year.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is accepting public comment on the state's proposed lead air quality plan that is being submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As required by the EPA, the plan demonstrates that Washington has the authority, rules, and programs in place to ensure Washington continues to meet the federal lead standard. The public can submit comments by email or regular mail through March 24. The plan is available for public review on Ecology's website at ecy.wa.gov.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray on the Ag Information Network.

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