The Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the USDA says the final safety net provisions from the 2014 Farm Bill are now in place.  The new measures help protect farmers and ranchers agains weather disasters, market volatility and other risk factors.  Currently the RMA has put interim rules into place to complete provisions for some programs and give them the authority to correct errors.

“The Farm Bill directed us to make some changes that would strengthen the safety net we provide for America’s farmers and ranchers,” RMA Administrator Brandon Willis said. “These safety net options will help ensure that America’s hard working farmers and ranchers, and their families are able to better manage risks so that they can continue to farm even after years of severe weather.”

RMA began implementing the provisions under an interim rule for the 2015 crop year. Today’s action enables RMA to continue to offer and expand on the Farm Bill provisions for the federal crop insurance program.

USDA received more than 350 public comments on the interim rule published July 1, 2014. Based on that feedback, RMA made changes to one part of the rule – the native sod provisions. The final rule clarifies an exception that allows producers to break up to five acres of native sod and not receive reduced premium subsidy on coverage of native sod acreage. All other provisions of the final rule remain unchanged. A copy of the final rule goes on display today at the Federal Register and will be published June 30 at https://www.federalregister.gov/

The Obama Administration has expanded the program to be the strongest safety net possible, now covering different types, sizes and products.