As West Texas farmers prepare for planting season they see a lot of uncertainty becaude of lower commodity prices and a revamped farm program.

Four profitability workshops scheduled for South Plains farmers will offer some guidance as producers prepare to plant spring crops.

The meetings are scheduled for March 17, March 31, April 7, and April 23. Each sessions runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294, Lubbock.

“South Plains producers are facing stressful times because of depressed commodity prices and alternatives added to the new farm bill,” said Dr. Jackie Smith, AgriLife Extension economist at Lubbock. “Farmers will be looking for and considering decisions that could cut costs or improve yields. Some will also be considering alternative crops.

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“Cotton farmers especially will be evaluating new options as they navigate the 2014 farm bill. Their cotton base acres are now generic base acres. And while their generic base is not directly covered by Farm Service Agency payments, their generic acres can be planted to a covered commodity, and those acres will then be eligible for payments if payments are made for that covered crop.

“The goal of these workshops, all with a similar curriculum, is to help producers understand the new farm bill and its ramifications on their individual farming operations.”