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August 31, 2012--Federal program altered to aid ranchers (Trinidad Times)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has enacted special provisions to the agency’s emergency loan program and to the Risk Management Agency (RMA) federal crop insurance program in order to provide greater flexibility for livestock producers facing forage and feed shortages as a result of drought. The changes allow loans to be made earlier in the season. In the past, emergency loan eligibility was determined after the production cycle. Producers will no longer have to wait until the end of the production cycle to obtain a loan. This change is aimed at supporting producers who currently need assistance to help offset high production costs, USDA officials said. A special provision will also be made to the federal crop insurance program through RMA that will allow producers to hay or graze cover crops without forfeiting crop insurance eligibility on planted 2013 spring crops. However, before making any plans to plant crop cover, producers should consult with their insurance agent, according to RMA.

To view the full article, visit the Trinidad Times. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango, Colorado.
 


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