Welcome to this week's update on the latest news and developments from the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This week, the USDA announced the 2025 enrollment periods for key safety-net programs, including Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as well as Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)[1].

Starting January 21, agricultural producers can submit applications to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) for ARC and PLC for the 2025 crop year until April 15. For DMC, the enrollment period begins January 29 and ends March 31. These programs provide critical financial protections to farmers against substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.

FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, “Our safety-net programs provide critical financial protections against commodity market volatilities for many American farmers, so don’t delay enrollment. Even if you are not changing your program election for 2025, you still need to sign a contract to enroll.”

In other news, the USDA recently published an interim rule on Technical Guidelines for Climate-Smart Agriculture Crops Used as Biofuel Feedstocks. This rule establishes guidelines for quantifying, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of biofuel feedstock commodity crops grown in the United States[4].

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the significance of this development, saying, “Today’s action marks an important milestone in the development of market-based conservation opportunities for agriculture. This Administration created pathways for economic growth that will reverberate for generations to come.”

The USDA is also requesting public comment on the interim rule to help inform future revisions or additions to the final rule. Interested parties can submit comments during the 60-day public comment period.

Looking ahead, it's crucial to note that these developments come amidst broader discussions on agricultural policy. For instance, Project 2025, a presidential transition project by the Heritage Foundation, proposes significant changes to the USDA and federal nutrition programs, including narrowing the USDA's role and moving the Food and Nutrition Service to the Department of Health and Human Services[5].

These proposals have raised concerns about their potential impacts on food security and federal anti-poverty programs. It's essential for citizens, businesses, and state and local governments to stay informed and engage in these discussions.

For more information on the USDA's latest news and developments, including how to enroll in safety-net programs and provide feedback on the interim rule, visit the USDA's website. Stay tuned for future updates and remember to make your voice heard on these critical issues. Thank you for listening.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI