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Vilsack says safety net is strong

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is on schedule with implementation of the crop-related commodity programs in the farm bill.

“We anticipate and expect very soon to be able to lay out some of the information on ARC and PLC,” Vilsack tells Brownfield.

ARC stands for Agricultural Risk Coverage and PLC means Price Loss Coverage.

Vilsack says he is confident that those programs will help provide a strong safety net for crop farmers as they move into what some economists predict could be an extended period of lower prices.

“I’m confident this is a good, solid farm bill that’s going to provide the protection needed to ensure that folks can stay in business regardless of the size of the operation,” he says, “and, hopefully, we’re going to see an expanded opportunity, particularly for young and beginning farmers.”

When discussing the “safety net”, Vilsack says it’s important to look at the farm bill in its totality, “not just simply focused on crop insurance or focused on the ARC or PLC program or the Dairy Margin Protection Program.  That is a component of the overall safety net which includes export assistance, additional market opportunities, diversification and support, and research—all of which is being implemented by the farm bill.”

Earlier this year, USDA awarded three million dollars to the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri and Texas A&M to develop online tools and outreach training that will help farmers and ranchers determine which new risk management options can best protect their businesses. USDA also awarded three million dollars to state Cooperative Extension services to provide in-person education to help producers make the most educated decisions regarding new Farm Bill programs.

 
AUDIO: Tom Vilsack (2:49 MP3)

 

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