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In the News -
January 2008
Provision Extending Crop Disaster Deadline to December 31, 2007, in Unlikely Place
PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Judging from the title - the Department of State, Foreign
Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 -- farmers would not
expect to find provisions pertaining to them, especially in the form of
financial aid. "But, they are there" says, Dr. Henry English, University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small Farm Program director.
Signed into law on December 26, 2007, the 2008 Act, which was amended February 28,
2007, allows for all crops planted for the 2007 crop year to be included for
loss purposes under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP). The law affects farmers in
more ways than one, says Dr. English.
First, the 2008 Act as amended expands CDP coverage to include all crops
planted for the 2007 crop year not just crops planted before February 28, 2007. The
eligibility date has been changed from February 28, 2007, to December 31, 2007.
"This
has the effect, in Arkansas, of covering all crops instead of only winter
wheat," says Dr. English.
Ranchers haven't been left out either. Under the Livestock Indemnity Program
(LIP) and the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP), the 2008 Act similarly
extends the date livestock and livestock feed losses could have occurred in a
primary or contiguous county named in a secretarial or presidential disaster
declaration to Dec. 31, 2007.
Besides the date change to be more inclusive, the second major change, says
Dr. English, allows those who have suffered 2005, 2006 and 2007 crop, livestock
and livestock feed losses to select their worst year, even if they have already
received a disaster payment, and receive the difference.
"Now, producers can select their worst year (2005, 2006 or 2007) for any of
their crops (not just wheat), go to their Farm Service Agency, file the
paperwork and receive the difference between the disaster payment he/she
received and a higher one due," says Dr. English.
Only those producers who obtained crop insurance for their row crops or
coverage for vegetables under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
(NAP) for the year of loss are eligible for CDP. Producers must have suffered
quantity losses in excess of 35 percent to be eligible for CDP.
January 18, 2008
By: Carol Sanders
Writer/editor
UAPB School of Agriculture
Fisheries and Human Sciences
(870) 575-7238
sanders_c@uapb.edu
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