USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Texas Erasmo (Eddie) Trevino announced that about 81,000 Texas 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,” Trevino said. “Payments to barley, canola, corn, oats, peanuts, dry peas, grain sorghum, soybean and wheat producers are helping provide reassurance to our Texas farm families who are standing strong against low commodity prices compounded by unfavorable growing conditions.”
Farmers and ranchers in Texas have experienced a significant drop in prices or revenues below the benchmark established by the ARC or PLC program and will receive payments totaling more than $556.5 million. Cash flow from 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,” Trevino said.
Statewide, more than 12,500 farms participated in ARC-County and more than 68,500 farms participated in PLC.
More details on the price and yield information used to calculate the financing assistance from the safety net programs is available on the FSA website.