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USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Florida Farmers

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

safetyUSDA Florida Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Acting SED Mark Cotrell announced that approximately 3,585 Florida farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2016 crop year. 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.

“These safety-net programs provide help when price and revenue fall below normal,” said Acting SED Cotrell “Payments to Wheat, Barley, Oat, Peanut, Corn, Grain Sorghum and Soybean producers are helping provide reassurance to our Florida farm families who are standing strong against low commodity prices compounded by unfavorable growing conditions.”

Producers in 36 Florida counties have experienced a significant drop in prices or revenues below the benchmark established by the ARC or PLC program and thus, will receive payments totaling $28,020,302 million.  Cash flow from these payments is particularly helpful to farmers and ranchers in counties impacted by natural disasters.

“Payments by county for an eligible commodity can vary because average county yields will differ,” said Acting SED Cotrell.

Statewide, over 1,135 farms participated in ARC-County and nearly 2,427 farms participated in PLC.  More details on the price and yield information used to calculate the financing assistance from the safety-net programs are available on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc and www.fsa.usda.gov/fl.