Farm Bill Implementation Begins
The New Farm Bill, which was passed by Congress, is now being implemented by USDA. Farm Program sign-up for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program started on June 25, 2008, at county Farm Service Agency offices, and will continue until September 30, 2008. Once farm operators are signed up for the 2008 Farm Program they will be eligible to receive the guaranteed direct payments for the 2008 crop year. USDA will issue an advance payment of 22% after Farm program sign-up is completed, and will issue the final 2008 direct payment after October 1. Producers are also eligible for counter-cyclical payments (CCP’s) for the 2008 crop year; however, no CCP’s are expected at this time for 2008 corn, soybeans or wheat, due to the very high level of commodity prices. CCC marketing loans will also be available for crops grown in 2008; however, there will not likely be any loan deficiency payments available, again due to the high commodity prices. Many other programs in the new Farm Bill, such as the new Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, will not be implemented until the 2009 crop year.

FARMFEST Forum On Ag Policy
“Beyond The new Farm Bill…what are the next big policy issues facing Agriculture” is the title of the Feature Forum at FARMFEST on Wednesday, August 6, at 10:30 a.m. Trade policies, the CRP program, renewable energy, and rural development will be among the policy issues addressed during this forum. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has tentatively agreed to join Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau President, and Tom Buis, National Farmer’s Union President, to discuss current and future Ag policy issues. This is a very unique opportunity to hear both National Presidents on the same Forum Panel, together with Senator Klobuchar, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee.

FARMFEST will feature an exciting line-up of Feature Forums in 2008, including Candidate Forums on Tuesday, and the Farm Family of the Year Recognition Event on Thursday. The FARMFEST Forums are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on August 5, 6, and 7 in the forum tent on the FARMFEST Site, which is located at the Gilfillan Estate, 7 miles southeast of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. For more information on the Forums at FARMFEST, contact Kent Thiesse, FARMFEST Forum Coordinator (507-381-7960) or (kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com).