On June 18, 2008 the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) was enacted into law. The 2008 Farm Bill includes a number of changes that may affect producers, especially in the area of disaster programs.
Specific guidelines for a number of these programs are still being finalized, eventhough deadlines for signups on some crops are fast approaching. We will strive to get our clients as much reliable information as possible in regard to the 'fine print' of the programs that affect producers.
Please check back here frequently for updates. We will also be updating the Questions and Answers (Q&A) page with the latest Questions that we have fielded, and the Answers that we have received from FSA, insurance underwriters, etc.
The 2008 Farm Bill includes a Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Program that is intended to replace the need for the passage of 'ad-hoc' disaster programs after a natural disaster. SURE is one of the five separate programs within this 'permanent disaster' program. It is not a simple program to understand or administrate as there are many variations in crop insurance and NAP coverage for alfalfa, hay and forage crops, pasture, grass waterways, etc.
Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst with MinnStar Bank shared his update of the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program with us in mid-September. He noted that it included Program details "as we know them" and a sample payment calculation for 2008 corn and soybeans.
