Agricultural News
OSU's Amy Hagerman Offers Guidance Ahead of Risk Mitigation Resource Deadlines
Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:11:23 CST
Spring is just around the corner and with it comes a lot of paperwork for Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and conservationists. Long hours, uncooperative weather and more make producing food, fuel and fiber no easy task.
To mitigate risk, farmers and ranchers can take advantage of a handful of helpful resources and programs and their deadlines. Get out your pen and calendar, while Amy Hagerman, extension specialist for agriculture and food policy at Oklahoma State University, guides you through the process.
"February and March are pretty critical times for some of the different programs, and even some of the different crop reports that need to go in," Hagerman said. "If you want to know exactly what your deadlines are, you need to contact your local (Farm Service Agency) office and your local crop insurance agent."
Crop insurance enrollment and reporting deadlines vary from crop to crop, Hagerman said.
"March 15 tends to be a date when a lot of things come up," Hagerman said. "The first is the (Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage) election for producers who have base acres."
Hagerman said this year is shaping up to be an interesting one considering ARC and PLC elections. As the election deadline nears, producers have higher input costs and drought conditions to take into consideration.
"I would not be surprised if we have a lot of people who wait until the March 15 deadline before making their final election enrollment decisions," Hagerman said.
March 15 is also an important date for Oklahoma wheat producers, according to Hagerman. Based on current conditions, she said wheat crop insurance is an important risk management tool.
"The Conservation Reserve Program just reopened," Hagerman said. "For any producers who might want to set aside some land, that program is just opening and will close later in the year."
Producers should note the Dairy Margin Coverage signup deadline has been extended to March 25.
Oklahoma producers can also take advantage of Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP). There are specific eligibility requirements and payment calculations, including documenting losses, that producers need to be aware of, according to Hagerman.
This year's spring weather is expected to be wet and wild, so producers should do their homework and be ready to document losses and apply for these beneficial programs.
Hit the LISTEN BAR below to hear KC Sheperd and Amy Hagerman talk about upcoming dates and deadlines for Oklahoma producers applying for risk mitigation programs.
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