Farm Bill Workshops Underway

Jul 21, 2014

The 2014 U.S farm bill is being rolled out, and it’s bringing changes for farmers and ranchers - especially dairy and grain producers. To help adjust to some of these changes, farmers are encouraged to participate in a series of workshops that are being held in their home states.

Attending the education workshops will help prepare American farmers to make informed decisions about participating in farm bill programs. The purpose of the workshops are to provide producers with a better understanding of the new programs, and what decisions they’ll need to make for their farming business.

Changes for grain farmers: farmers will have to choose between obtaining agriculture risk coverage or price loss coverage income support programs. One program is based on revenue, while the other one is based on commodity price. Previously, grain farmers got direct payments, regardless of yield or price of acreage. The biggest change for dairy farmers is the new insurance program.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has already announced that it plans to host its farm bill workshops through the month of August. The cost to participate is $10, which also covers lunch. More information about the workshops can be found on the University of Maryland Extension office website at extension.umd.edu/locations.

Workshops are sponsored by: the Missouri Department of Conservation Private Land Services, Quail Forever, Natural Resource Conservation Services, Farm Service Agency and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

The farm bill is a five-year piece of legislation that deals with food and farm programs. The bill passed the U.S. House and Senate in February 2014. President Barack Obama signed it into law Feb. 7, 2014. The previous farm bill was signed in 2008 and expired in 2012. The 2014 bill expires in 2018.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.