Chairman Roberts Highlights New Deadline for Farm Bill Decisions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Tuesday’s hearing on the 2014 Farm Bill implementation, where both agricultural producers and Senators expressed concern about deadlines for producers to make decisions for commodity programs, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, is pleased the U.S. Department of Agriculture heard these concerns and extended the February 27 deadline. Click here for audio.

USDA today granted a one-month extension for producers making decisions on updating yield history and reallocating base acres, the first in a multiple-step process to sign up for Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), new commodity programs established in the 2014 Farm Bill. The initial deadline was February 27. The new deadline is March 31, the same deadline for making the one-time election to enroll in PLC or ARC for crop years 2014-2018.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has been working through implementation challenges in several states related to cover crops, software, yield history and other issues.  

“USDA heard the concerns directly from producers earlier this week at our first Committee hearing and took action as a result,” Chairman Roberts said. “I would encourage all producers to visit their local FSA office as soon as possible to make sure they have enough time and information to make these important decisions.”

“As Chairman, I look forward to hearing more from producers and continuing work with USDA so rural America can be as productive as possible while implementing the 2014 Farm Bill,” Roberts said. “I hope to continue this level of hands-on problem-solving in the Committee.”

Click here to watch the hearing and read testimonies and opening statements from Tuesday’s Farm Bill implementation hearing.

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