The 2014 Farm Bill has ushered in sweeping changes to agricultural producers’ crop insurance, and last week, about 80 farmers attended a meeting in Waunakee to learn more about them.

Badgerland Financial representatives scheduled the Jan. 15 meeting at Rex’s Innkeeper to explain new methods for reporting yields and acreage, along with new programs.

Farmers can purchase insurance to protect revenue and yields in the event of natural disasters and “anything Mother Nature can throw at the crop,” said Kyle Maring, crop insurance specialist.

In the meantime, ag producers will need to provide data on their yields and acreage. Forms are due to Farm Service Agency offices by the end of February, according to Haley Krohlow, who provided the FSA update.

By the end of March, ag producers can choose a program, Krohlow said.

Documenting the yields and bases “is a lot of work up front,” Krohlow said, but once completed, farmers can have their programs in place until 2018.

“After this time, it’s going to get a lot faster,” she said.

Krohlow noted that a program is available for new farmers, as well.

“If you do not act, you will be stuck with your old yields,” she added.

A final farm bill meeting will be held Jan. 28.

Source - http://www.hngnews.com