USDA Issues Safety Net Payments to Wyoming Farmers

CASPER, WY- Oct. 23, 2017 – USDA Wyoming Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Acting Jodene Johnson announced that approximately 2,650 Wyoming 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 Jodene Johnson. “Payments to barley, corn, oats, dry peas, grain sorghum, and wheat producers are helping provide reassurance to our Wyoming farm families who are standing strong against low commodity prices compounded by unfavorable growing conditions.”

Producers in 20 Wyoming 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 $12.6 million.  Payments related to barley, corn, oats, and wheat crops made up much of those payments.  There were also payments for dry peas and grain sorghum crops.  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 Jodene Johnson.  

Statewide, over 2,969 farms participated in ARC and 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 at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc and http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wy.