Safety Net

Safety Net

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
USDA Idaho Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Mark Samson has announced that approximately 24,000 Idaho farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2015 crop year. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.

 

"These safety-net programs provide help when price and revenue fall below normal, unlike the previous direct payments program that provided funds even in good years," said Samson."These payments that are estimated to exceed $47 million will help provide reassurance to Idaho farm families who are standing strong against low commodity prices compounded by unfavorable growing conditions."

 

Wheat producers in 43 Idaho counties have experienced a significant drop in prices or revenues below the benchmark established by the ARC or PLC program and thus, will receive payments. Payments for corn, oats, sorghum and canola will also be available to eligible producers. 

 

According to Samson, the marketing year average price for barley, dry peas, lentils and soybeans was higher than the historical benchmark price established by the programs, so financial assistance for these crops in PLC did not occur. However, payments on barley, dry peas, lentils and soybeans will be made to some farms enrolled in ARC due to revenues being below the benchmark. Other oilseed and pulse crops could receive payments once the final marketing year average price for those crops is determined.

 

"Payments by county for an eligible commodity can vary because average county yields will differ," said Samson.  

 

Statewide, over 4,300 farms participated in ARC-County and nearly 9,500 farms participated in PLC.  More details on the price and yield information used to calculate the financing assistance from the safety-net programs is available on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc and

www.fsa.usda.gov/idaho.

 

USDA works to strengthen and support American agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 American jobs, provides American consumers with more than 80 percent of the food we consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries, and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials.

 

Since 2009, USDA has provided $5.6 billion in disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; expanded risk management tools with products like Whole Farm Revenue Protection; and helped farm businesses grow with $36 billion in farm credit. The Department has engaged its resources to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,500 biobased products through USDA's BioPreferred program; and invested $64 billion in infrastructure and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.

 

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