The Press-Dispatch
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D-4 Pike County Planter SWCD Newsletter November and December 2015 The Press-Dispatch or farm-raised fish losses from October 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, must file: The Farm Bill caps ELAP disaster fund- ing at $20 million per federal fiscal year. The following ELAP Fact Sheets (by topic) are available online: • ELAP for Farm-Raised Fish Fact Sheet • ELAP for Livestock Fact Sheet • ELAP for Honeybees Fact Sheet To view these and other FSA program fact sheets, visit the FSA fact sheet web page at www.fsa.usda.gov/factsheets. LIVESTOCK INDEMNITY PROGRAM (LIP) The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, extreme heat or extreme cold. For 2015, eligible losses must occur on or after Jan. 1, 2015, and before December 31, 2015. A notice of loss must be filed with FSA within 30 days of when the loss of livestock is apparent. Participants must provide the follow - ing supporting documentation to their local FSA office no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year for which benefits are requested: • Proof of death documentation • Copy of growers contracts • Proof of normal mortality documentation USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eli- gible livestock. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under "normal" conditions. Producers who suffer livestock losses in 2015 must file both of the following: • A notice of loss the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss was apparent or by Jan. 30, 2016 • An application for payment by Jan. 30, 2016. Additional Information about LIP is avail - able at your local FSA office or online at: www. fsa.usda.gov. MAL AND LDP POLICY CHANGES FOR CROP YEARS 2015-2018 The Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized 2014-2018 crop year Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs), with a few minor policy changes. MALs and LDPs provide financing and marketing assistance for wheat, feed grains, soybeans, and other oilseeds, pulse crops, wool and honey. MALs provide producers interim financing after har vest to help them meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at har vest-time lows. A producer who is eligible to obtain a loan, but agrees to forgo the loan, may obtain an LDP if such a payment is available. Marketing loan provisions and LDPs are not available for sugar and extra- long staple cotton. Before MAL market gain repayments and LDP disbursements can be made, produc - ers must meet the requirements of actively engaged in farming, cash rent tenant and member contribution. Additionally, form CCC-902 and CCC-901 must be submitted for the 2015 crop year, if applicable, with a county committee determi- nation and updated subsidiar y files. To be considered eligible for an LDP, producers must have form CCC-633EZ, Page 1 on file at their local FSA Office before losing beneficial interest in the crop. Pages 2, 3 or 4 of the form must be submitted when payment is requested. The 2014 Farm Bill also establishes pay- ment limitations per individual or entity not to exceed $125,000 annually on certain com- modities for the following program benefits: price loss coverage payments, agriculture risk coverage payments, marketing loan gains (MLGs) and LDPs. These payment limitations do not apply to MAL loan disbursements. Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) provisions were modified by the 2014 Farm Bill, which states that a producer whose total applicable three-year average AGI exceeds $900,000 is not eligible to receive an MLG or LDP. For more information and additional eligibil - ity requirements, visit a nearby USDA Ser vice Center or FSA's website www.fsa.usda.gov. SAVE TIME – MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH FSA To insure maximum use of your time and to insure that you are afforded our full atten- tion to your important business needs, please call our office ahead of your visit to set an appointment and to discuss any records or documentation that you may need to have with you when you arrive for your appointment. For local FSA Ser vice Center contact informa- tion, visit: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/ locator/app. MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF FARM-STORED LOAN GRAIN Bins are ideally designed to hold a level volume of grain. When bins are overfilled and grain is heaped up, airflow is hindered and the chance of spoilage increases. Producers who take out marketing as- sistance loans and use the farm-stored grain as collateral should remember that they are responsible for maintaining the quality of the grain through the term of the loan. UNAUTHORIZED DISPOSITION OF GRAIN If loan grain has been disposed of through feeding, selling or any other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the county office staff, it is considered unauthor- ized disposition. The financial penalties for unauthorized dispositions are severe and a producer's name will be placed on a loan violation list for a two-year period. Always call before you haul any grain under loan. FOREIGN BUYERS NOTIFICATION The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclo- sure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign owners of U.S. agricultural land to report their hold- ings to the Secretar y of Agriculture. The Farm Ser vice Agency administers this program for USDA. All individuals who are not U.S. citizens, and have purchased or sold agricultural land in the county are required to report the transaction to FSA with 90 days of the closing. Failure to submit the AFIDA form (FSA-153) could result in civil penalties of up to 25 percent of the fair market value of the property. County government offices, realtors, attorneys and others involved in real estate transactions are reminded to notify foreign investors of these reporting requirements. CLEARING WOODED AREAS OR BRINGING NEW LAND INTO PRODUCTION Agricultural producers are reminded to consult with FSA and NRCS before breaking out new ground for production as doing so without prior authorization may put a produc- er's federal farm program benefits in jeopardy. This is especially true for land that must meet Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conser vation (WC) provisions. Producers with HEL determined soils must apply tillage, crop residue and rotation requirements as specified in their conser va- tion plan. Land determined to be a wetland has significant use restrictions. Participants should ensure they are aware of any existing technical determinations for acreage they own or operate. Producers should notify FSA prior to con- ducting land clearing or drainage projects to ensure compliance. If you intend to clear any trees, woody vegetation, or improve drainage to create new cropland, these areas will need to be reviewed to ensure any work will not risk your eligibility for benefits. Landowners and operators can complete form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conser- vation (HELC) and Wetland Conser vation (WC) Certification to determine whether a referral to Natural Resources Conser vation Ser vice (NRCS) is necessar y. FARM SAFETY Flowing grain in a storage bin or gravity- flow wagon is like quicksand – it can kill quick- ly. It takes less than five seconds for a person caught in flowing grain to be trapped. The mechanical operation of grain handling equipment also presents a real danger. Au- gers, power take offs, and other moving parts can grab people or clothing. These hazards, along with pinch points and missing shields, are dangerous enough for adults; not to mention children. It is always advisable to keep children a safe distance from operating farm equipment. Always use extra caution when backing or maneuvering farm machiner y. Ensure ever yone is visibly clear and accounted for before machiner y is engaged. FSA wants all farmers to have a productive crop year and that begins with putting safety first. DIRECT LOANS FSA offers direct farm ownership and direct farm operating Loans to producers who want to establish, maintain or strengthen their farm or ranch. FSA loan officers process, approve and ser vice direct loans. Direct farm operating loans can be used to purchase livestock and feed, farm equipment, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance and other costs including family living expenses. Operat- ing loans can also be used to finance minor improvements or repairs to buildings and to refinance some farm- related debts, excluding real estate. Direct farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, enlarge an existing farm, construct and repair buildings, and to make farm improvements. The maximum loan amount for both direct farm ownership and operating loans is $300,000 and a down payment is not required. Repayment terms var y depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer's ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years. Contact your local FSA office for more infor - mation or to apply for a direct farm ownership or operating loan. GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM FSA guaranteed loans allow lenders to provide agricultural credit to farmers who do not meet the lender's normal under writ- ing criteria. Farmers and ranchers apply for a guaranteed loan through a lender, and the lender arranges for the guarantee. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. Guaranteed loans can be used for both farm ownership and operating purposes. Guaranteed farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings, develop farmland to promote soil and water conser vation or to refinance debt. Guaranteed operating loans can be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance and other operating expenses. FSA can guarantee farm ownership and operating loans up to $1,399,000. Repayment terms var y depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer's ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years. Contact your lender or local FSA farm loan office for more information on guaranteed loans. BEGINNING FARMER LOANS FSA assists beginning farmers to finance agricultural enterprises. Under these desig- nated farm loan programs, FSA can provide financing to eligible applicants through either direct or guaranteed loans. FSA defines a beginning farmer as a person who: • Has operated a farm for not more than 10 years • Will materially and substantially partici- pate in the operation of the farm • Agrees to participate in a loan assess- ment, borrower training and financial manage- ment program sponsored by FSA • Does not own a farm in excess of 30 per- cent of the county's average size farm. Additional program information, loan ap- plications, and other materials are available at your local USDA Ser vice Center. You may also visit www.fsa.usda.gov. SPRING TILLAGE TRANSECT RESULTS RELEASED Indiana farmers plowing less and saving top soil Each spring the members of Indiana's Conser vation Partnership (ICP) load up their vehicles to conduct a field sur vey of tillage methods, plant cover, and crop residue in their county. A tillage tran- sect is an on- the-ground sur vey that identifies the types of tillage systems farmers are using and long-term trends of conser vation tillage adoption using GPS technology, plus a statistically reli- able model for estimating farm manage- ment and related annual trends. The 2015 Spring Tillage and Cover Crop Transect shows that Hoosier farm- ers continue the trend of plowing less and using sound conser vation practices that preser ve and build valuable topsoil. According to Jane Hardisty, State Conser vationist for the Natural Re- source Conser vation Ser vice, "Conser- vation tillage helps keep the soil where it belongs: on the field. Residue cover of just 30 percent can help reduce soil ero- sion by 50 percent or more compared to bare soil. This is good for our farmers, good for soil productivity, and good for our drinking water." There are many forms of conser va- tion tillage, but the ultimate is "no-till," where farmers directly plant into the previous crop with little soil distur- bance. No-till farming methods can reduce soil erosion by 75 percent when compared to a conventional (chisel- disk) tillage system, and is a critical component to improve soil organic mat- ter and soil health. The 2015 Spring Tillage and Cover Crop Transect report shows farmers saved over 32 million tons of soil that re- mained on crop fields by using reduced tillage methods as compared to conven- tional tillage. Indiana farmers who used reduced tillage systems required fewer passes and they used less fuel which resulted in over 14 million gallons of diesel saved! Additionally, ICP is tracking fields that plant cover crops as a conser va- tion practice. These plants benefit the soil before planting or after har vest by feeding the diverse populations of soil biology, preventing soil erosion, and building soil organic matter. Over 933, 000 acres of cover crops were recorded in the Indiana spring transect, which continues to increase each year. "These numbers confirm that Indiana is a national leader in acres of cover crops planted," said Ted McKinney, Di- rector of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). "Our farmers were some of the first in the countr y to discover the economic and water quality benefits of soil health conser vation practices such as cover crops. With the record breaking rainfall this past sum- mer, cover crops have proven a valuable tool for managing floodwater, protect- ing the soil and keeping sediment and nutrients out of our water." In addition to no-till and cover crops, the eight partners who make up the ICP are promoting a soil health management system which combines other soil health practices such as adaptive nutrient management, inte- grated weed and pest management, and diverse crop rotations to improve soil function and make land more sustain- able. "With the increase in demand for Indiana's row crop production and the reports on agriculture's role in the Gulf hypoxia and Great Lakes issues, it make sense for us to continue to obser ve, track and tell the stories of the good things our farmers are doing," said Hardisty. Last year, the ICP completed their first ever fall tillage transect and plans to do this year's sur vey in the next few weeks. Tillage transect reports dating back to 1990 can be found here. To learn more about the tillage transect for your county, visit http://www.in.gov/ isda/2370.htm# to find your local Soil and Water Conser vation District. Cost Share Program reminder The SWCD would like to remind all producers enrolled in our cost share program to please turn your cover crop and grid sampling bills in as soon as possible so payments can be processed before the end of the fiscal year. This year's program had the highest enrollment to date with over 22 produc- ers and 1,900 acres of Pike County land receiving state funded cost share from grants secured by the Pike County SWCD through the Clean Water Indiana funds. For the past four years, the SWCD has been able to secure enough grant funding to continue the cost share program and has seen the number of applications grow steadily. This is great news to the SWCD and to the residents of Pike County as local producers are jumping on board the conser vation train and are actively looking for ways to improve their soil health while reducing soil and nutrient runoff. While enrollment for the Fall 2015/ Spring 2016 Cost Share Program has closed, you can still call the office to get on the list for the following year which starts fall of 2016. The office can be reached at 812- 354-6120 ex. 3 or by email at stephanie.burkemper-fischer@ in.nacdnet.net. This field pictured is currently enrolled in the cost share program at the SWCD office. It was one of the lucky fields that had their cover crops flown on via plane and then was able to receive a little rain shortly after planting. The lack of rainfall is hurting the growth of cover crops for winter protection and soil health. FSA Continued from page 3 organization in the United States, and focuses on preparing students for a wide range of careers in agriculture, agribusiness and other agriculture- related occupations. As the average age of the American farmer now exceeds 58 years, and data shows that almost 10 percent of farm- land in the continental United States will change hands in the next five years, we have no time to lose in getting more new farmers and ranchers established. Equally important is encouraging young people to pursue careers in industries that support American agriculture. According to an employment outlook report released by USDA's National In- stitute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Purdue University, one of the best fields for new college graduates is agriculture. Nearly 60,000 high-skilled agriculture job openings are expected annually in the United States for the next five years, yet only 35,000 gradu- ates with a bachelor's degree or higher in agriculture related fields are expect- ed to be available to fill them. The report also shows that women make up more than half of the food, agriculture, renewable natural resourc- es, and environment higher education graduates in the United States. USDA recently released a series of fact sheets showcasing the impact of women in agriculture nationwide. The announcement builds on USDA's ongoing work to engage its resources to inspire a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving ac- cess to land and capital; building market opportunities; extending conser vation opportunities; offering appropriate risk management tools; and increas- ing outreach and technical support. To learn more about USDA's efforts, visit the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Results Page. NEXT Continued from page 1