USDA Wisconsin Farm Service Agency Executive Director Patty Edelburg announced that approximately $191 million will be paid for the 2015 crop year to Wisconsin farms who enrolled in safety net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop prices or revenues due to market downturns.

HELP FOR CROP PRODUCERS: Statewide, about 71,500 farms participated in the ARC-County program and 5,500 farms participated in the PLC program.

“These safety net programs provide help when price and revenues fall below normal, unlike the previous direct payments program that provided funds even in good years,” Edelburg says. “These payments will help provide reassurance to Wisconsin farm families, who are standing strong against low commodity prices compounded by unfavorable growing conditions. For example, 71 counties in Wisconsin harvest corn and soybeans, and those producers have experienced a 27% to 32% drop in prices below the benchmark price established by the ARC program.

“Payments by county can vary because average county yields will differ,” Edelburg says.                           

Statewide, about 71,500 farms participated in ARC-County and 5,500 farms participated in PLC. More details on the price and yield information used to calculate the financing assistance from the safety net programs is available on the FSA website and Wisconsin's FSA website. Updated ARC-County payment rate maps are also available.

USDA works to strengthen and support U.S. agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 U.S. jobs, provides U.S. consumers with more than 80% of the food they consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries, and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials.

Since 2009, USDA has provided $5.6 billion in disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; expanded risk management tools with products like Whole Farm Revenue Protection; and helped farm businesses grow with $36 billion in farm credit. The department has engaged its resources to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities.

Source: Wisconsin FSA