Oklahoma agricultural producers are facing a period of uncertainty amidst USDA turnover and upcoming program deadlines. Dr. Amy Hagerman of Oklahoma State University (OSU) recently visited with Farm Director KC Sheperd and shared valuable insights, emphasizing the need for patience, meticulous record-keeping, and proactive engagement with USDA offices.
“This administration came in with a stated intention of decreasing the footprint of the federal government and then also decreasing spending in the federal government,” Dr. Hagerman explained. This has led to staff reductions at USDA, creating potential bottlenecks in program delivery. “As we begin to lose USDA employees, this is going to create some openings and some holes across the state that are going to make it harder to get programs out the door.”
Key Takeaways for Producers:
With potential staffing shortages, Dr. Hagerman advised producers to “be patient with these offices that may find themselves with relatively short notice being pretty short staffed.”
She recommended scheduling appointments well in advance and keeping meticulous records. “Do the best you can to keep track of your records,” Dr. Hagerman stressed. Producers should be aware of deadlines and keep detailed documentation of losses.
There are deadlines in early March, which are crucial for producers who experienced losses in 2024 due to drought, tornadoes, wildfires, or other disasters. “If you had events that occurred in 2024, that’s what these deadlines are for. It’s like your last chance to turn in applications for those drought losses last year, for example,” she stated. “Also, be aware that the deadlines are a little different this year than they have been in the past.”
In a broader sense, Hagerman warned that while some programs may be “frozen,” they are not necessarily canceled, however, the timing of payments may be negatively affected.
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): With recent ice and snow storms during calving season, the LIP is vital and Hagerman recommends turning in losses as soon as possible rather than waiting on the deadline. Producers should document losses and proof of ownership and turn them.
ARC and PLC Enrollment: The deadline for ARC and PLC enrollment is April 15th, a shift from the previous March 15th deadline. “If you don’t get your enrollment in by April 15th, but you do have an election on file with them, that will continue forward into 2025,” Dr. Hagerman pointed out. “Think about how you can match up your ARC and PLC decisions with your crop insurance decisions to give yourself the best protections in this uncertain crop price environment.”
Amidst uncertainty regarding the Farm Bill and other changes, Dr. Hagerman encourages producers to “focus on what you can control.” This includes managing risk, keeping good records, and staying on top of programs. “There’s a lot of things we don’t know. There are a lot of things that are, are up in the air right now, so focus on the things you can control in the near term, and the rest of it is going to work out however it is going to work out. We will adjust. We will adapt. We will overcome as we learn more about what those consequences are.”
By staying informed and proactive, Oklahoma producers can navigate these challenging times and ensure they receive the support they need.
For more information on all of these programs, click here.
