USDA Closures & RMA Deadlines

The USDA announced this week the forthcoming closure of more than 250 USDA offices across the country and a decrease in its workforce of over 7,000 employees. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said this is a move towards more “streamline services” and that offices being closed are redundant, as farmers in those areas are within twenty miles of other USDA offices. Amid concerns over the closures, USDA officials said “there will be no reduction in inspection presence at processing facilities and no risk for consumers”. The Spokane Valley office is the only proposed closure slated for Washington.

Jo Lynne Seufer with the USDA Risk Management Agency reports on the RMA’s crop expansion availability of the MPCI.

SEUFER: We’ve had program expansions and these are a result of farmer requests. Green garbanzo type is now insurable under our processing bean policy in Walla Walla County, Washington. And a brand new crop here to the Pacific Northwest, we have crop insurance availability for soybeans in Umatilla County Oregon and Walla Walla County Washington.

Regional sales closing dates are coming up soon for current Pacific Northwest policyholders.

SEUFER: The first one coming up is January 31, and that’s our Adjusted Gross Revenue Pilot Insurance. Also, it’s the final date for producers with a AGR- Lite to make any changes to their existing policy. February 1 is the final self closing date for 2012 spring planted onions as well as cabbage.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Ag Information Network.