The deadline for expanded protection for eligible fruit, vegetable and specialty crop growers to sign up for the new Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program is Jan. 14.
The protection, created by the 2014 Farm Bill, extends coverage to several classes of crops that have been traditionally ineligible for federal crop insurance.
Previously, the program offered coverage at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production.
Producers can now choose higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price.
The expanded protection will be helpful to beginning and traditionally underserved producers, according to the Farm Service Agency.
Deadlines to update yield history and relocate base acres is Feb. 27. Farm owners can choose between Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) by March 31. The new risk-management programs are designed to supplement crop insurance should a commodity’s price drop to what the FSA deems a disaster level.
Dates associated with ARC and PLC that farm owners and producers need to know:
Through Feb. 27: Farm owners may visit their local Farm Service Agency office to update yield history and/or reallocate base acres.
Through March 31: Producers make a one-time election between ARC and PLC for the 2014 through 2018 crop years.
Mid-April through summer: Producers sign contracts for 2014 and 2015 crop years.
October: Payments issued for 2014 crop year, if needed.
Business center now enrolling for course
The Southwest Colorado Business Development Center is hosting a 12-week Business Management and Planning Course in Cortez beginning Feb. 28.
The course will allow attendees to create business plans, test ideas, conduct market research, master money management, establish best pricing and marketing practices, and more. Agriculture and non-profits are encouraged to participate. The series begins on Saturday Feb. 28 and runs through April 25 at the Cortez Welcome Center, 928 E. Main Street. The total cost is $300 or $50 for a half-day session. Scholarships may be available.
For more details, call 970-882-4222.
Grain mostly higher; livestock mostly lower
Grain futures were mostly higher Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Wheat for March delivery fell 3.25 cents to $5.6475 a bushel; March corn was a 6 cents higher at 4.0025 a bushel; March oats were up 1 cent to $3.0325 a bushel; while March soybeans gained 4 cents to $10.5225 bushel. Beef was lower and pork was higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
February live cattle was off 3 cents at $1.6060 a pound; March feeder cattle fell 4.50 cents to $2.1255 a pound; while February lean hogs were .85 cent higher to $.7902 a pound.
CU-Boulder to offer its first online degree
The University of Colorado-Boulder plans to offer its first fully online bachelor’s degree this fall.
The Daily Camera reports that CU-Boulder will start by offering an online psychology degree and hopes to add at least 25 online programs in the next three years, including master’s programs. The goal is to be more competitive with Colorado State University.