Weblog for Agricultural Risk Management

Through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI), dairy producers throughout Vermont are eligible for incentive payments to implement or expand managed grazing starting this season. CCPI provides for funding through a partnership agreement, in this case between USDA-NRCS and the Vermont Grass Farmers Association (VGFA), to realize mutually beneficial environmental goals. VGFA and NRCS would like to encourage and support farmers choosing to reduce production costs, energy use, and water pollution by adopting or expanding managed grazing. Under this new partnership, eligible farmers may apply and, if accepted for funding, enter into long term contracts with NRCS to implement these new management techniques and install necessary infrastructure. Eligible practices include but are not limited to fencing, watering systems, pasture and hayland planting as well as prescribed grazing. Payments to producers, made through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will vary depending on the practice(s) to be implemented. Historically underserved producers will be eligible for enhanced payments.

Applications for the 2009 program will be accepted from June 22-July 2.

Farmers converting annually tilled land to a grazing system in the Otter Creek or Missisquoi watersheds will receive priority for funding. However, farmers statewide are eligible and encouraged to apply, including those with existing grazing systems who are prepared to make significant enhancements. To apply, please visit your local USDA Service Center by July 2.

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The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved Senate Bill 787, the Clean Water Restoration Act. The measure would expand the federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act by removing the word navigable from the definition of waters of the United States. The proposed change would give the federal government control over private lakes and even ditches.

Ranking Member of the Senate Environment Committee Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., says farmers could be hurt worst by this legislation.

"I can remember very well a few years ago when a friend of mine had standing water after a storm in one-forth of one acre," Inhofe said. "Because of that, they declared a wetland and took away the use of that farmer's 160 acres; that's how serious this thing is."

Inhofe says this measure will have a harder time on the Senate floor than it did in committee because of several coalitions that have been put together to block it and he thinks they will be successful.

As for the Waxman-Markey climate change bill that is of great concern to agriculture Inhofe noted that several people including House Ag Chair Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Ranking Member Frank Lucas, R-Okla., are working to protect ag interests. Even so Inhofe say he believes Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will get the votes she needs to advance the bill out of the House.

"I can assure you that they will not have the votes in the Senate," Inhofe said. "Right now they only have 34 votes and they have to have 60 votes in the Senate to make it happen."

Pelosi earlier this month placed a deadline on committee action on the climate change legislation. That deadline is Friday.

Reprinted from Farm Futures Magazine, 6/19/09.

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The deadline for farmers to obtain crop insurance on fall-seeded forage acreage is July 31, 2009. Current policyholders also have until July 31 to make any changes to existing contracts. The forage seeding policy covers newly seeded acreage of alfalfa and forage mixtures containing at least 50 percent alfalfa, clover, birdsfoot trefoil, or any other locally recognized and approved forage legume species (by weight) planted by August 31, 2009, in Addison County. A grower may secure up to $218 worth of coverage per acre under the plan. Coverage under this particular policy ends upon commencement of grazing or the initial harvest. If the forage legume species is alfalfa, the acreage may then be insured for second and subsequent years under a separate forage production policy. Growers are strongly urged to contact a local crop insurance agent as soon as possible for premium quotes and other details. For a list of crop insurance agents, farmers may contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office or log on to the following Risk Management Agency web site: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/

RMA Press Release, June 8, 2009

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