Iowa farmers are encouraged to get their coverage plans in place for the 2021 growing season now that harvest is wrapped up.
The 2018 Farm Bill gave producers the opportunity to enroll in either Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs for 2019 and 2020. According to Todd Perdew, executive director of the Farm Service Agency offices in Adams and Union counties, farmers must sign up for ARC/PLC each year for 2021-2023.
“Producers will remember that last time they signed up for ’19 and ’20,” said Perdew. “Now, they’ll sign up for each individual year — 2021, 2022 and 2023. Producers have until March 15th to make that annual election. They can change that if they want to go with the Agriculture Risk Coverage or the PLC.”
In addition to updating farm plans, Perdew says farmers must complete the proper paperwork to make changes for the upcoming crop year. He encourages producers to get to work on their plans well in advance of the March 15th deadline as many things have to be done electronically during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have a lot of producers that we have to get those signatures and get those documents from,” said Perdew. “They have until March 15th, but as you well know, with the way we’re having to operate right now, it makes it a little more challenging.?
Producers are required to notify their local FSA office of any changes in their farming operation. If you received a post card from FSA about ARC/PLC enrollment, contact your tenant if you have one or contact your local FSA Office if you don’t have a tenant. For more information on the ARC/PLC program and deadlines, visit fsa.usda.gov.
