Agriculture

Agricultural producers in Evangeline Parish are reminded the sales closing date of February 28, for 2010 crop insurance purchases for spring-seeded crops is fast approaching. Since the normal spring-seeded sales closing date of February 28, 2010, falls on a Sunday, that date will be extended to close of business on the next working day, which is Monday, March 1.

Vidrine Cattle, Ville Platte, is a new member of the American Angus Association®, reports Bryce Schumann, CEO of the national breed registry organization in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
The American Angus Association, with nearly 31,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef cattle registry Association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on more than 16 million registered Angus.

Robert Helmer

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA now has a web-based 2008 crop program payment calculator to help producers calculate the financial benefits they may receive under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program. The calculator was designed by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to give producers a tool to help them better understand and participate in this new crop disaster program.

Two of Evangeline and St. Landry parish’s most economically important crops will be discussed at length at the 50th Annual Rice Production School and 43nd Annual Soybean Production School. These production schools will be held together Wednesday, January 6, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Ville Platte Civic Center.

In accordance with 2008 Farm Bill provisions, changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program have now been implemented.

Agricultural producers are reminded the Noninsured Assistance Program (NAP) application closing dates for fall seeded plantings are fast approaching. Robert Helmer county executive director for the Evangeline Parish Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office said. “Some of these crops, including broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, greens, garlic, oats and wheat, have an application closing date of September 30, (2009). This also includes Christmas trees, crawfish, finfish and strawberries.”