USDA Update

by Rod Johnson

January 31, 2003

With crop prices falling, we have a Loan Deficiency Payment (LDP) for Oil-Type Sunflowers for the first time since May 2002. We will "bold" the loan rate and daily "Posted County Price" (PCP) in table at the end of this article for any crop for which a LDP is available. The main problem with LDP's is that you first need to raise the crop and 2002 was mostly a county-wide bust for crops! We are all looking forward to a recovery from this devastating drought.

The FSA and NRCS computer system will be turned off for a period of time Monday afternoon, February 3, so some new equipment can be installed. You may want to try to avoid coming into the offices next Monday afternoon if possible.

The FSA office will be short staffed on Wednesday, February 5 due to computer training. If possible, this will be another day to avoid visiting the office.

Are you still confused and dreading the thought of coming into the FSA Office to make your base and yield selection? Don't worry, you're not alone. But hopefully it will not be quite as bad as you may think. The FSA staff has completed sign-ups on many farms so I think we have about got all of the variations figured out. We will be glad to help you work through your farms so you can make an informed decision. Please try to schedule your visits to the FSA Office from Monday through Thursday and get in early in the day if possible. We try to use Fridays to clean up everything for the week so it really helps us help you. You do not need an appointment to come to the office but if you live very far from Eads, you may want to call and schedule a time because we will make an appointment especially for you.