Vilsack: Farm Programs Continuing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sign-ups for farm programs will continue due to the extension of the 2008 Farm Bill by Congress, the USDA announced last week. Sign-ups will begin for the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program (DCP) and Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) on February 19, while other commodity, disaster and conservation programs were also extended. A highlight for consumers was the continuation of the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC), which was extended until September 30.

“I want to commend Secretary Vilsack for today’s announcement that sign-up for farm programs, including direct payments, will begin on Feb. 19,” said Frank Lucas, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, in a Jan. 22 news release. “It is vitally important that our farmers, and lenders alike, know that Congress and the Administration intend to keep the commitment made with the one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill. Short of a five-year bill, this extension provides certainty for the 2013 crop year.”

For more information about FSA programs and loans, go to your county FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Ill. Lawmakers Named to House Ag Subcommittees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Frank Lucas of the GOP-led House Committee on Agriculture announced membership for five subcommittees, including three Illinois lawmakers, last week. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-13th), Bill Enyart (D-12th) and Cheri Bustos (D-17th) were named to the House Ag Committee’s subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. Davis was also appointed to the subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture, while Bustos was named to the Livestock, Rural Development and Credit Subcommittee.

In his opening statement in front of the newly-assembled House ag committee, Lucas singled out new GOP committee members for welcome, including Davis. “Rodney Davis comes to us from central Illinois where he has worked in a variety of public service positions,” said Lucas. “I look forward to working with… our veteran and new committee members as we move forward with policies that will support a strong and vibrant rural America.” (House Ag Committee news)

ISA Addressing Tailspin in Soy Protein, Oil Levels

PEORIA – Declining levels of soybean oil and protein in crops produced by U.S. farmers is a trend that must be reversed in order to remain competitive in the global agricultural marketplace, crop scientists agree. To bring further awareness to that issue, the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) is spreading the word to all farmers– regardless of membership status– that steps can and must be taken to increase content and help maintain the American farmer’s global trade advantage.

“In order to stay competitive in the global marketplace, farmers need to pay attention to this issue,” said the ISA’s Mark Ingbritson, who co-hosted an ISA informational booth focusing on soybean oil and protein levels at the 2013 Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Conference and Trade Show, held last week in Peoria. “That’s why ISA is trying to educate farmers as well as processors and elevator operators while looking at solutions.”

Ingbritson’s booth mate, ISA District 10 Director Jered Hooker, said the outreach and education effort is directed at all Illinois soybean producers and will be discussed during a March 4 ISA summit on increasing profitability in Normal. “This is our effort as an organization to help bring up contents and amino acid levels, which have been on the decline for quite awhile,” he said. “It’s been a struggle to develop yields. We’re going to have to have more research and technology to bring us up to where our are beans are competitive with the South Americans.”

The 2013 Illinois Soybean Profitability Summit, “Shape Your Future as a Soybean Grower,” is free to Illinois farmers, though registration is limited to the first 350 to sign up.  For more information or to reserve a seat, call 888-826-4011 or visit www.soyyieldchallenge.com.

NRCS Wetland Reserve Program Opens

CHAMPAIGN – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) was among the agricultural programs that were continued through the recent one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill by Congress. “The reauthorization allows for NRCS to begin taking (WRP) applications immediately with a cutoff date of 2013,” said Ivan Dozier, state conservationist for Illinois NRCS, adding that all eligible applications will be considered for funding on April 5.

A voluntary program offering landowners an opportunity to protect, restore and enhance wetlands by keeping sensitive lands out of production while implementing conservation practices and protection, WRP uses Geographic Area Rate Caps to establish easement payments to farmers and other landowners. “We encourage interested landowners to visit their local NRCS field office as soon as possible,” said Dozier. “NRCS staff is ready to work you through the application process.”  (Illinois NRCS news release)

Farmers Paying More for Fertilizer R&E

PEORIA – Farmers are now paying 75 cents more per ton for fertilizer to support the new Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC)– and few seem to be minding the extra charge. This is according to Jean Payne, executive director of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, which held its annual convention and trade show at the Peoria Civic Center last week.

“I think farmers understand why we’re doing that. It’s going to take money to fund the nutrient research and education that’s got to happen, so we’re basically self-assessing to pay for it,” Payne said. “But now we have ownership of it (rather than the state) and a long-term funding strategy. All ag groups supported it, and our dealers did an outstanding job of explaining it to their customers.”

Illinois Farm Fact:

There are 27,000 kernels in one bushel of corn. (Ill. Ag in the Classroom)

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)