SAN ANTONIO — Farmers and landowners in South Central Texas will have an opportunity to learn more about the 2014 farm bill during informational programs to be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service on Nov. 10 and 17.
The programs are free and open to the public. Both will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 6 p.m.
The Nov. 10 meeting will be held at Lubianski Grain and Store, 13636 Farm-to-Market Road in St. Hedwig. The Nov. 17 meeting will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15825 Bexar St. in La Coste.
“At the meetings, AgriLife Extension specialists will discuss the economic implications of the farm bill and demonstrate an online decision-aid tool developed by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University to help producers evaluate program choices,” said Roy Flora, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Bexar County.
Flora said Brian Hanson, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency executive director, Bexar County, will discuss current and upcoming programs at both the St. Hedwig and La Coste programs.
Dr. Robert Hogan, AgriLife Extension economist based in Uvalde, will explain general farm program provisions, including producers’ selection of the Price Loss Coverage, known as PLC, or Agricultural Risk Coverage, known as ARC. The presentation will also cover any base reallocation and yield options available, plus identify the data needed to complete the decision-making process. It will also provide attendees with deadlines and other pertinent information.
“Sign-up is already underway for base reallocation and yield updates, and sign-up for PLC and ARC starts soon,” Flora said. “These decisions need to be taken seriously because they will affect producers’ operations for at least the next five years.”
Attendees are asked to preregister for these programs by contacting Angel Torres at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Bexar County at 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu.
“The decision aid simplifies the analysis needed to choose between the PLC and ARC coverages as well as providing insight into complementary crop insurance alternatives,” Flora said. “This farm bill requires that producers obtain and assess a good amount data in order to make educated decisions.”
Source: Agrilife