Mar 10, 2015
ENGLAND, AR -- USA Rice Federation Chairman Dow Brantley already updated yields and reallocated base acres for his Lonoke County, Arkansas farm, but he knows not everyone has done the same. He warns time is running out.
"USDA extended that deadline to March 31, and I doubt they'll extend it again," he said. "Rice growers need to get into their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, fill out the paperwork, and also make their ARC or PLC decision. I did it, it's done, and now I can get back to farming."
FSA officials point out that they are there to help growers understand all their choices as the deadlines approach.
"Delaying decisions will make things more difficult for growers and the Farm Service Agency as we approach the March 31 deadline," said Craig McCain, state executive director of the Louisiana FSA. "If growers are unsure of what to do, I encourage them to ask questions. County Offices are there to direct growers to available resources so they may become more comfortable with the decisions they need to make."
McCain said sign-ups across the state are going well and that rice growers are coming in and making their elections, but he doesn't want people to wait any longer than necessary. Neither does Brantley.
"You just need to make the best choice you can with the information you have," he said. "These programs are there to help, and while the process can be intimidating, and you're going to have to live with the decisions you make today for the duration of this Farm Bill, just letting the deadline lapse is definitely not the right answer. Growers need to exercise their choices."
Brantley added that in addition to getting help from local FSA offices, there are several decision aid tools available online, and one he found personally helpful was Texas A&M's developed by Dr. Joe Outlaw and his team.
Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458