What's up at the FSA Office?

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply - no waivers.

Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
The 2014 Farm Bill authorized the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy) for dairy producers. The new voluntary risk management program replaces the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program which expired September 1, 2014.
MPP-Dairy offers protection to dairy producers when the difference (the margin) between the all-milk price and national average feed cost falls below a certain producer selected amount.
Eligible producers may purchase coverage for their dairy operation by paying an annual administrative fee of $100 and a premium, as applicable, for higher levels of coverage. Producers in the dairy operation will have to select a desired coverage level ranging from $4.00 to $8.00, in $0.50 increments and a desired coverage percentage level ranging from 25 to 90 percent, in five-percent increments. Producers will also have to decide whether or not to participate in the MPP-Dairy Program or the Livestock Gross Margin program administered by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), but they will not be allowed to participate in both.
A decision tool will be made available in the fall of 2014 to help producers make coverage level decisions. Verification of the production records will be required.
Sign-up will be September 2, 2014 through November 28, 2014.
The Allamakee County FSA Office is in the progress of sending dairy producers letters in regards to this new program. New dairy producers may contact the Allamakee County FSA Office at 563-568-2148.
NOTE: ISU Extension with be holding a meeting on the Margin Protection Program Thursday, September 18 at Farmers Merchants and Saving Bank in Waukon from 10-11:30 am. Producers will need to register at the Allamakee County Extension Office. No registration fee will be charged.
For more information about this new program, contact the Allamakee County FSA Office.

NAP Coverage Available for 2015 Crops for Livestock Feed Intended for Grazing
It is important that producers note that NAP coverage WILL be available for annually planted crops for livestock feed intended for grazing because RMA is not offering CAT level coverage under the Rainfall Index-Annual Forage Insurance Plan. The NAP sales closing date for this insurance is September 1st for crops planted in the fall and December 1st or March 15th (depending on the crop) for crops planted in the spring.
Please contact The Allamakee County FSA office for questions concerning NAP or your crop insurance agent for questions concerning RMA crop insurance. A list of agents can be found at www.rma.usda.gov/.

2014 MAL and LDP Requests
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting requests for marketing assistance loans (MALs) and loan deficiency payments (LDPs) for eligible 2014 commodities.  
MALs and LDPs for the 2014 crop year become available to eligible producers beginning with harvest/shearing season and extending through a specific commodity’s final loan availability date. Sugar commodity loans for the 2014 crop will be available to sugar processors beginning October 1, 2014.  
MALs and LDPs provide financing and marketing assistance for wheat, feed grains, soybeans, and other oilseeds, pulse crops, rice, peanuts, cotton, wool, mohair and honey. MALs provide producers interim financing after harvest to help them meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows. A producer who is eligible to obtain a loan, but agrees to forgo the loan, may obtain an LDP if such a payment is available. Marketing loan provisions and LDPs are not available for sugar and extra-long staple cotton.
The 2014 Farm Bill also establishes payment limitations per individual or entity not to exceed $125,000 annually on certain commodities for the following program benefits: price loss coverage payments, agriculture risk coverage payments, marketing loan gains (MLGs) and LDPs. These payment limitations do not apply to MAL loan disbursements.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) provisions were modified by the 2014 Farm Bill, which states that a producer whose total applicable three-year average AGI exceeds $900,000 is not eligible to receive an MLG or LDP.
 National and county loans rates for 2014 crops are posted on the FSA website at:  www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.

Allamakee County FSA Crop Loan Rates for 2014
Corn - $1.87
Barley - $1.72
Oats - $1.43
Soybeans - $4.99

Save Time – Make an Appointment With FSA
As we roll out the Farm Bill programs administered by FSA, there will be related sign-ups and in some cases multiple management decisions that need to be made by you, the producer, in consult with FSA staff. To insure maximum use of your time and to insure that you are afforded our full attention to your important business needs, please call our office ahead of your visit to set an appointment and to discuss any records or documentation that you may need to have with you when you arrive for your appointment. The Allamakee County FSA Office will still service the producers who walk in. With all of the new programs and the new regulations appointments would be appreciated so office staff can gather all folders and forms to be ready to service you, the producer, in a timely manner. Thank you in advance on the appointment system.
The following programs will be on an appointment system:
Continuous CRP program - last day is September 30, 2014 with all paperwork completed and approved.
ARC/PLC program - 2014/2015 signup coming in the future.
LFP – Livestock Forge Program- deadline January 30, 2015
LIP – Livestock Indemnity  Program - deadline January 30, 2015.
MPP – Margin Protection Program for Dairy producers- Deadline November 28.