Ohio State University Grain Marketing Update on Friday, December 13

OSU Extension invites Ohio grain producers to grab a cup of coffee and join a grain marketing conversation with Dr. Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. on December 13, 2024.

During this webinar held via Zoom, Dr. Lee will provide his insight on the December 10th World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) crop report and the current state of the Ohio grain market. “This early morning webinar will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets” said David Marrison, Interim Director for OSU Extension’s Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute.

There is no fee to attend this webinar. Pre-registration can be made at go.osu.edu/coffeeandgrain.

Click here for program flyer

This webinar is sponsored by: OSU Extension, Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute (FFMPI), and the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) all located in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). More information can be found at: http://farmoffice.osu.edu

2025 Agriculture Commodity Outlook Program to be held in Wayne County on January 7, 2025

Wayne County will host their 2025 Agriculture Commodity Outlook program on January 7th, 2025.  The program will feature a broad scope of topics relevant to all Northeast Ohio agriculture producers.  Speakers from Ohio State University, Cornell University, and Certified Angus Beef will provide outlook presentations on production input costs, 2025 weather outlook, feed grain supply and demand, the new federal milk marketing orders, and the seasonality of the retail beef market.

Click here for program flyer

The detailed agenda includes:

9:00 AM-  Inputs Outlook (Barry Ward, OSU Extension)

10:00 AM- Weather Outlook (Aaron Wilson, OSU Extension Climate/Weather Specialist)

11:00 AM – Federal Milk Marketing Order (Chris Wolf, Cornell University)

12:00 noon – Lunch

1:00 PM- Grain Market Outlook (Dr. Seungki Lee, OSU AEDE)

2:00 PM- Beef Market Seasonality (Clint Walenciak, VP Product Services – Certified Angus Beef)

The program will be held at the OSU Secrest Arboretum Welcome and Education Center from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Registration is at 8:30 AM.  The cost of the program is $20 and lunch and refreshments will be provided.  For more information, or to register, please call the OSU Extension office – Wayne County at 330-264-8722.

OSU’s Farm On: Financial Management Course to be Offered in Winter and Summer Sessions Beginning in 2025

By Eric Richer, Field Specialist- Farm Management

Click here for information about the course

The Farm On Financial Management Course has been available to Ohio farmers for the last 18 months in a convenient, self-paced and continuously on-demand platform. Beginning in 2025, the course will be re-structured to a winter and summer session format. The Winter 2025 session will run from January 1 through March 31st, with a December 1, 2024-January 15, 2025 enrollment period. The Summer 2025 session will run from July 1-September 30, with a June 1-July 15, 2025 enrollment period. Each session will last approximately 90 calendar days.

The new format will allow for several improvements to the course including time to update content, a cohort-style learning environment and optional Zoom sessions with the lead instructor. Consistent with the previous format, the enrollees will navigate the course at their own pace and on their own schedule within the 90-day session. Estimated time for completion of the course remains 20-24 hours.

Completion of the Farm On Financial Management Course meets the requirements of the Ohio Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program and the Borrower Training Requirements of the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Direct Farm Loan Programs. To date, over 110 Ohio farmers have enrolled in the course.

The Farm On Financial Management Course was created by Ohio State University Extension professionals and is offered through OSU Extension’s new Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute (FFMPI). Housed within OSU Extension, the goal of FFMPI is for the integration, translation, and communication of CFAES’ farm management and ag policy presence that addresses critical farm management and policy issues affecting Ohioans.

For more information on the course and to enroll, visit  https://go.osu.edu/farmon. Questions about the course can be directed to lead instructor Eric Richer, Associate Professor and Field Specialist in Farm Management at richer.5@osu.edu

 

 

 

 

“How to Lose Less on the Farm” workshop series to be held in London, Ohio

By: Amanda Douridas, OSU Extension Educator – Madison County

Running a profitable farm can be a challenge even with the best of commodity prices. Lower prices and higher inputs facing farmers this year are putting a serious strain on the bottom line. OSU Extension in Madison County is offering a program designed to connect producers to farm management specialists with whom they can share resources, tools and initiate discussion on how farmers can get a better handle on budgets.

This series will dive into areas of the budget where adjustments can be made. We will look at results of the FINPACK benchmarking program to see where Ohio farmers are spending the most. This can provide guidance on how one’s budget compares to other farmers in Ohio. Record keeping is not always everyone’s favorite activity but, in this series, we will see how it can help keep that budget on track.

Weed and fertility management are often the two places farmers look when budgets get tights. This session dives into where costs can safely be cut to help profitability and maintain good agronomic practices.

Of course, taxes are a key factor in farm financial management. Discover new regulations and the sunsetting of the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Lastly, the series will end with a look into organic and alternative crops for those interested in making bigger shift in their operation.

The program is free but RSVPs are required. There is an option to attend virtually or in-person at Beck’s Hybrids. 720 US Hwy 40, London. Each offering of the workshop will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Feel free to register for sessions individually and at anytime throughout the series.

RSVP: go.osu.edu/loseless.

DECEMBER 3- Budget Bootcamp

  • Enterprise budget overview and cost control- Barry Ward, Director, OSU Extension Income Tax School Program; Leader, Production Business Management
  • Calculating (and reducing) the ‘Tricky Two’ Fixed Costs in an Enterprise Budget- Eric Richer Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management

JANUARY 8- On The Record

  • Record keeping strategies to keep a budget on track- Bruce Clevenger, Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management
  • Ohio Farmers: What categories have the biggest impact on profits- Clint Schroeder, Program Manager, Farm Business Analysis

JANUARY 21- In the Field

  • Nutrient management: how to decide where to cut budget- Amanda Douridas, CCA, OSU Extension Madison County
  • Weed mgt: Reducing costs here and switching to non-GMO- Dr. Alyssa Essman, Assistant Professor, Weed Science
  • Vetting products before going all in- Amanda Douridas

FEBRUARY 4- Life, Death and Taxes

  • Farm Tax Update and Managing for the Sunset of 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act- Barry Ward and David Marrison, Professor and Field Specialist in Farm Management; Interim Director for the Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute

FEBRUARY 18- Organic and Alternative Crops

  • Hurdles associated with Organic Grain Transition- Eric Richer
  • Alternatives to Corn and Soybeans- Dr. Osler Ortez Assistant Professor, Corn & Emerging Crops

Fall Back to the Basics of Grain Marketing

By: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, Field Specialist, Farm Management

Turning the clocks back in the Fall happens on November 2, 2024.  Grain producers and farm managers are also looking at adjustments on the farm to the tightening profit margins projected for 2025.  Knowledge and action plans related to grain marketing in the coming year will be important to manage risk.

Registration is now open for the Basics of Grain Marketing Workshop, January 16 & 17, 2025 at the OSU Extension Champaign County Office in Urbana, Ohio.  This in-person workshop offers education and farm ready strategies on topics such as: basis, market carry, cash markets, forward and futures contracts, hedge to arrive and basis contracts, differed price, hedging, storage, and overviews on options, spreads, and crop insurance.  It’s “more than a 2-day workshop”, featuring pre-workshop activities on calculating grain cost of production and measure of risk comfort. Workshop content will include workshop content and activities, plus a panel of industry professionals.  A post-workshop grain marketing peer group will be offered to strengthen learning into action with webinar updates.  The workshop has 50 limited seats.

Expert instructors: Seungki Lee, The Ohio State University, Grant Gardner, University of Kentucky, and Ben Brown, University of Missouri.  For more information and registration, visit https://go.osu.edu/grainmarketing

This workshop is possible by the support of grower checkoff dollars via the Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio Corn & Wheat.  This workshop is led by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Farm Financial Management & Policy Institute.

Register Now for the January 9-10 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference

Contact:Eric Richer, The Ohio State University, Associate Professor / Farm Management Field Specialist, richer.5@osu.edu

Registration is open for the 3rd annual Ohio State Organic Grains Conference, January 9-10, 2025, at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio. The conference offers programming for experienced organic growers, growers transitioning to or considering organic, and consultants or educators who support these growers.

Featured speakers for 2025 include Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems; Damon DeSutter of DeSutter Farms in Attica, Ind., Osler Ortez, Ohio State Corn and Emerging Crops Specialist; Sophie Rivest-Auger, organic field crop advisor for Centre for Expertise and Transfer in Organic and Local Agriculture, Quebec; and David Marrison, Ohio State Farm Management Field Specialist. Additional farmer, researchers, and educators from Ohio and beyond will round out the two full days of agronomic and farm management sessions. Topics for this year include interseeding cover crops in organic corn, flame cultivation, the use of biological products in organic production, setting up weed control equipment for success, nitrogen credits from cover crops and manure, farm succession planning and a market end-users panel.

Take advantage of Early Bird pricing and register now. The cost of $140 per person includes two days of programming, meals throughout the event, and opportunities to network with organic farmers in the region as well as speakers and trade show vendors.

This event is planned by Ohio State University Extension and Ohio State’s Organic Food & Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program. Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs). For more information, visit go.osu.edu/OrganicGrains.

 

 Economic Relief Available from USDA for Producers Impacted by 2024 Drought

By: David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist – Farm Management

Click here for PDF of article

Note: this is an updated version of an article published on October 10, 2024.

Drought conditions started in Ohio in mid-June and intensified throughout the summer until some relief was provided by rain showers at the end of September and first few days of October. Then drier conditions returned. The economic consequences of this summer’s drought will linger for quite some time.

Economic relief is available through various USDA assistance programs following a natural disaster declaration. The Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued 7 natural disaster designations (August 30, September 3, 18 & 23, and October 2, 8 & 15) which designated 49 counties as primary disaster counties with an additional 17 counties classified as contiguous. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. The following are the counties which have been designated as of October 15 (note that other counties in far northwest Ohio may be added later this month.

Primary Counties:  Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Defiance, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Gallia, Guernsey, Greene, Hamilton, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Lucas, Madison, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Warren, Washington and Williams counties

Contiguous Counties:  Auglaize, Columbiana, Darke, Hancock, Hardin, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Scioto, Shelby, Stark and Wood counties.

These designations allow the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to farm operators in primary counties and contiguous counties through FSA emergency loan assistance. The USDA FSA uses the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) map to determine a producer’s eligibility by county for certain drought assistance programs, like the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Emergency Haying and Grazing on CRP acres. These programs are available to both new and existing users of FSA services. Please note that each program has eligibility requirements and payment limitations.

Below are short descriptions for each of the drought assistance programs:

Emergency Loan Program: This program provides emergency loan assistance to farm operators. These loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. For production loss loans, the producer must have a disaster yield that is below the normal production yield of the crop, as determined by the Agency, that comprises a basic part of an applicant’s total farming operation.  Quality losses are determined by comparing the average market price for the commodity at the grade the applicant would have normally sold the product, with the average price of the grade at actual sale.  Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000.  The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans is between April 21 to June 16, 2025, depending on the county. Complete details about ELP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-loan-program-2024pdf

Disaster Set-Aside Program (DSA): This program allows FSA borrowers to set aside of one payment due to qualified disaster. Each payment set-aside must be repaid prior to the final maturity of the note. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. The borrower must be current or not more than 90 days past due on any FSA loan when the application is completed. Borrowers have 8 months from date of the disaster designation to apply. More details about the DSA program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/disaster-set-aside-program-2024pdf

Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): This program provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops that have lower yields or crop losses due to natural disasters such as drought. Eligible crops must be commercially produced agricultural commodities for which crop insurance is not available. Such crops include (but are not limited to): crops grown for food; crops planted and grown for livestock consumption, such as grain and forage crops; specialty crops, such as honey and maple sap; value loss crops, such as aquaculture, Christmas trees, and ornamental nursery and turf-grass sod. Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for the current crop year. NAP payments are limited to $125,000 per crop year, per individual or entity for crops with basic coverage. Any NAP payments received with additional (buy-up) coverage is to $300,000. More information about NAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/noninsured-crop-disaster-assistance-program-nap

Tree Assistance Program (TAP): This program provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters such as drought. To be eligible, at least a 15 percent mortality loss, after normal mortality, must be determined due to a natural disaster. Payment is the lessor of either 65% of the actual cost of replanting or the maximum eligible amount established by FSA. Replacement of eligible trees, bushes and vines must be made within 12 months. More information about TAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/tree-assistance-program-tap

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Haying and Grazing: The Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs (DAFP) is authorizing emergency haying and grazing authority in all counties throughout the state that are not otherwise eligible for emergency haying and grazing in accordance with 2-CRP paragraph 681. Through this authority CRP participants (except CREP) may donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor) through March 15, 2025. This allows the affected livestock producer to have access to feed sources from areas less impacted by drought conditions that are limited because of an active CRP contract to emergency hay and graze acres.

To ensure emergency haying and grazing is only being utilized by those producers whose livestock operations were adversely impacted by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor), livestock producers must file a CCC-576 (Notice of Loss) or provide a written certification documenting the impact to their operation.

To summarize, emergency haying and grazing can be utilized in any Ohio county, regardless of the county’s Drought Monitor status. However, emergency haying and grazing can only be used by an eligible farmer affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor).

CREP- Both CREP agreements prohibit haying or grazing activities that would normally be available on CRP acreage in circumstances like the present. Unfortunately, as a result, emergency haying and grazing is not available on CREP acreage.

SAFE-With concurrence from Ohio SAFE partners, DAFP has agreed to waive emergency haying and grazing restrictions set forth in all Ohio SAFE projects for this specific drought event and authorizes CRP participants to donate emergency haying and grazing rights to livestock producers whose farming operation is affected by severe drought (D2 or greater on the U.S. Drought Monitor) on a one-time basis.

For more information about the emergency haying and grazing, producers should contact their FSA County office for additional requirements and details.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): This program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or that is reported on the FSA-578 with initial intended use of grazing. This program looks at acreage and intended use directly from the producer certified FSA-578 form. This program also provides compensation for eligible livestock. Eligible livestock must be animals that receive the majority of their net energy requirement of nutrition via grazing. Covered livestock include beef cattle, dairy cattle, deer, equine, goats, llamas, and sheep. The 2018 Farm Bill established a maximum annual per person and legal entity payment limitation for LFP of $125,000. More details about the LFP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/livestock-forage-disaster-program-lfp

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP):  This program benefits to livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. Note that drought is not an eligible adverse weather event except when death loss is associated with anthrax which occurs because of the drought. In addition, Mycoplasma Bovis is an eligible loss during drought for bison. Payment levels are based on national payment rates that are 75% of the market value of applicable livestock. Cattle, poultry, swine and other livestock are covered. More information about LIP can be obtained at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/livestock-indemnity-program-lip

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): This program provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, or adverse weather not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program. Assistance is provided for losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock and hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres due to a qualifying drought. For commercial bee producers, ELAP provides for additional feed purchased to sustain honeybees during drought conditions when natural feed is not available. ELAP also assists farm-raised fish operations for excess mortality and excessive feed requirements due to eligible weather conditions.  Learn more about each facet of the ELAP program at:  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): This program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters and for emergency water conservation measures in severe droughts. Specific assistance can be sought for providing emergency water during periods of severe drought to grazing and confined livestock or through existing irrigation systems for orchards and vineyards. Additional details about ECP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-conservation-program-ecp

Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool: FSA has developed an on-line disaster assistance discover tool which allows producers to learn the USDA assistance programs which might fit their operation due to this year’s drought. This easy-to-use tool can be accessed at: https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool

Take Action and Report: Producers are encouraged visit their local Farm Service Agency office to report crop and livestock losses. By providing this data, producers can learn their eligibility for the FSA disaster programs. Additionally, this data can serve as a catalyst for potential ad hoc disaster relief programs for crops and livestock which are not covered by an existing program.

More information on FSA Programs: Producers are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office to explore program which they may be eligible. Producers can locate their local office at: www.fsa.usda.gov/oh

 

 

 

 

2024 Fourth Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio

Authors: Amanda Bennett, Eric Richer, Clint Schroeder, OSU Extension

Click here for PDF version of Q4 Fertilizer Summary

Results from the final quarter survey of retail fertilizer prices in the state of Ohio revealed fertilizer prices continue to be lower than national averages reported by Progressive Farmer – DTN (Quinn, 2024). The survey was completed by 17 retailers, representing 14 counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (October 1st) based on sale type indicated. This is part of a larger study conducted by OSU Extension to better understand local fertilizer prices, which began in December 2023.

Survey participants reported the average price of all fertilizers was lower in Ohio compared to the national prices, except for Urea, which at $510/ton was up slightly from the third quarter although it was well below the national average of $780/ton, (Quinn, 2024). Anhydrous ammonia and Ammonium Thio-Sulfate results were not included due to low responses.

The chart below (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.

Table 1. Fourth Quarter 2024 Ohio Fertilizer Prices

Product Responses

(n)

 Sale Type Min

$/ton

 Max

$/ton

 Avg

$/ton
UAN 28-0-0 11 Direct to Farm $240 $380 $271
Urea 46-0-0 11 FOB Plant $427 $560 $510
MAP 11-52-0 12 FOB Plant $700 $1079 $800
DAP18-46-0 5 FOB Plant $667 $730 $704
APP 10-34-0 5 Direct to Farm $525 $704 $595
Potash 0-0-60 14 FOB Plant $367 $470 $416
Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0-24 11 FOB Plant $357 $552 $432
Poultry Litter 7 Delivered & applied, <25 miles $32 $55 $49

 

Quarter 4 survey data included seven responses to questions about poultry litter, delivered and applied within a 25-mile radius of the facility. Prices ranged from $32-55/ton with an average of $49/ton reported. If you are a retailer interested in participating in this study, please contact Amanda Bennett at bennett.709@osu.edu.

 References

Quinn, R. 2024. DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends. DTN Progressive Farmer. Accessed online October 10, 2024 at https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/10/09/potash-10-34-0-lead-fertilizer-lower

Schroeder, C, Richer, E., & Bennett, A.. (2024). 2024 Third Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Farm Office Blog. https://farmoffice.osu.edu/sites/aglaw/files/site-library/Q3%20Fertilizer%20article%2007-15-2024.pdf

Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 18

OSU Extension will be offering the October Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, October 18 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Some of the topics which will be addressed during this webinar include:

  • Fall Crop Insurance Update
  • USDA Drought Assistance Programs
  • Legal Update
  • Tribute to Paul Wright
  • Is H-2A a Viable Option for Your Farm
  • 4th Quarterly Fertilizer Price Summary
  • Winter Program Update

Featured speakers include guest Farm Office members Peggy Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, and Clint Schroeder. Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

Economic Relief Available for Ohio Farms Impacted by 2024 Drought

Economic Relief Available from USDA for Producers Impacted by 2024 Drought

By: David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist – Farm Management

Click here for PDF version of article

Drought conditions started in Ohio in mid-June and intensified throughout the summer until some relief was provided by rain showers at the end of September and first few days of October. While this rainfall has provided relief, the economic consequences of this summer’s drought will linger for quite some time.

Economic relief is available through various USDA assistance programs following a natural disaster declaration. The Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued 6 natural disaster designations (August 30, September 3, 18 & 23, and October 2 & 8) which designated 44 counties as primary disaster counties with an additional 12 counties classified as contiguous. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. The following are the counties which have been designated as of October 8 (note that other counties in far northwest Ohio may be added later this month).

Primary Counties:  Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Greene, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Licking, Logan, Madison, Meigs, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Tuscarawas, Union, Vinton, Warren and Washington counties

Contiguous Counties:  Auglaize, Columbiana, Darke, Hardin, Holmes, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Preble, Scioto, Shelby, and Stark counties.

These designations allow the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend assistance to agricultural producers through a variety of programs. These programs are available to both new and existing users of FSA services. Please note that each program has eligibility requirements and payment limitations.

Below are short descriptions for each of the drought assistance programs:

Emergency Loan Program: This program provides emergency loan assistance to farm operators. These loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts.  For production losses, a 30% reduction is required to be eligible. Losses to quality may also be eligible for assistance. Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000. The deadline for producers in designated primary and contiguous counties to apply for loans is between April 21 to June 2, 2025 depending on the county. Complete details about ELP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2019/emergency-loan-program.pdf

Disaster Set-Aside Program (DSA): This program allows FSA borrowers to set aside of one payment due to qualified disaster. Each payment set-aside must be repaid prior to the final maturity of the note. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. The borrower must be current or not more than 90 days past due on any FSA loan when the application is completed. Borrowers have 8 months from date of the disaster designation to apply. More details about the DSA program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2019/disaster-set-aside-program-factsheet-19.pdf

Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): This program provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops that have lower yields or crop losses due to natural disasters such as drought. Eligible crops must be commercially produced agricultural commodities for which crop insurance is not available. Such crops include (but are not limited to): crops grown for food; crops planted and grown for livestock consumption, such as grain and forage crops; specialty crops, such as honey and maple sap; value loss crops, such as aquaculture, Christmas trees, and ornamental nursery and turf-grass sod. Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for the current crop year. NAP payments are limited to $125,000 per crop year, per individual or entity for crops with basic coverage. Any NAP payments received with additional (buy-up) coverage is to $300,000. More information about NAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/noninsured_crop_disaster_assistance_program-nap-fact_sheet.pdf

Tree Assistance Program (TAP): This program provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters such as drought. To be eligible, at least a 15 percent mortality loss, after normal mortality, must be determined due to a natural disaster. Payment is the lessor of either 65% of the actual cost of replanting or the maximum eligible amount established by FSA. Replacement of eligible trees, bushes and vines must be made within 12 months. More information about TAP can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/tree_assistance_program-tap-fact_sheet.pdf

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Haying and Grazing: FSA permits emergency haying and grazing on certain CRP practices in a county designated as D2 or higher on the U.S. Drought Monitor, or in a county where there is at least a 40 percent loss in forage production. It should be noted that before haying and grazing, producers should contact their FSA office to determine if the county remains eligible and to obtain a modified conservation plan.

After a county is approved for emergency haying and grazing, conditions are reviewed monthly to determine whether continuing the emergency activities is warranted. To date, 75 counties (85%) in Ohio are eligible (as of 9/24/2024). These can be found in Table 1:

Table 1: Ohio Counties Eligible for Emergency CRP Grazing

County State Date   County Start Date   County Start Date
Adams 8/20/2024 Hamilton 9/17/2024 Noble 7/16/2024
Allen 9/17/2024 Hancock 9/17/2024 Ottawa 9/10/2024
Ashland 9/17/2024 Hardin 9/10/2024 Paulding 9/17/2024
Athens 7/16/2024 Harrison 7/30/2024 Perry 7/23/2024
Auglaize 9/10/2024 Henry 9/10/2024 Pickaway 7/16/2024
Belmont 7/16/2024 Highland 7/30/2024 Pike 7/30/2024
Brown 8/20/2024 Hocking 7/23/2024 Portage 9/24/2024
Butler 9/10/2024 Holmes 9/17/2024 Preble 9/17/2024
Carroll 8/20/2024 Jackson 7/30/2024 Putnam 9/17/2024
Champaign 9/03/2024 Jefferson 7/23/2024 Richland 9/17/2024
Clark 9/03/2024 Knox 9/17/2024 Ross 7/16/2024
Clermont 9/10/2024 Lawrence 12/19/2023 Sandusky 9/10/2024
Clinton 8/20/2024 Licking 8/27/2024 Scioto 8/20/2024
Columbiana 9/24/2024 Logan 9/10/2024 Shelby 9/10/2024
Coshocton 9/03/2024 Lucas 9/10/2024 Stark 9/24/2024
Crawford 9/17/2024 Madison 9/03/2024 Trumbull 9/24/2024
Defiance 9/10/2024 Mahoning 9/24/2024 Tuscarawas 7/30/2024
Delaware 9/03/2024 Marion 9/17/2024 Union 9/03/2024
Fairfield 7/16/2024 Meigs 7/16/2024 Vinton 7/23/2024
Fayette 7/16/2024 Miami 9/10/2024 Warren 9/03/2024
Franklin 7/16/2024 Monroe 7/16/2024 Washington 7/16/2024
Fulton 9/10/2024 Montgomery 9/03/2024 Wayne 9/17/2024
Gallia 7/30/2024 Morgan 7/16/2024 Williams 9/10/2024
Greene 9/03/2024 Morrow 9/17/2024 Wood 9/10/2024
Guernsey 7/16/2024 Muskingum 7/16/2024 Wyandot 9/17/2024

More information about the emergency grazing of CRP acreage can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/conservation-reserve-program/emergency-haying-and-grazing/index

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): This program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or that is reported on the FSA-578 with initial intended use of grazing. This program looks at acreage and intended use directly from the producer certified FSA-578 form. This program also provides compensation for eligible livestock. Eligible livestock must be animals that receive the majority of their net energy requirement of nutrition via grazing. Covered livestock include beef cattle, dairy cattle, deer, equine, goats, llamas, and sheep. The 2018 Farm Bill established a maximum annual per person and legal entity payment limitation for LFP of $125,000. More details about the LFP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-forage/index

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP):  This program benefits to livestock owners or contract growers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. Note that drought is not an eligible adverse weather event except when death loss is associated with anthrax which occurs because of the drought. In addition, Mycoplasma Bovis is an eligible loss during drought for bison. Payment levels are based on national payment rates that are 75% of the market value of applicable livestock. Cattle, poultry, swine and other livestock are covered. More information about LIP can be obtained at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/livestock_indemnity_program_lip-fact_sheet.pdf

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): This program provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, or adverse weather not covered by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program. Assistance is provided for losses resulting from the cost of transporting water to livestock and hauling livestock to forage or other grazing acres due to a qualifying drought. For commercial bee producers, ELAP provides for additional feed purchased to sustain honeybees during drought conditions when natural feed is not available. ELAP also assists farm-raised fish operations for excess mortality and excessive feed requirements due to eligible weather conditions.  Learn more about each facet of the ELAP program at:

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): This program provides funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters and for emergency water conservation measures in severe droughts. Specific assistance can be sought for providing emergency water during periods of severe drought to grazing and confined livestock or through existing irrigation systems for orchards and vineyards. Additional details about ECP program can be found at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/emergency-conservation-program-ecp-fact_sheet.pdf

Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool: FSA has developed an on-line disaster assistance discover tool which allows producers to learn the USDA assistance programs which might fit their operation due to this year’s drought. This easy-to-use tool can be accessed at: https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool

Take Action and Report: Producers are encouraged visit their local Farm Service Agency office to report crop and livestock losses. By providing this data, producers can learn their eligibility for the FSA disaster programs. Additionally, this data can serve as a catalyst for potential ad hoc disaster relief programs for crops and livestock which are not covered by an existing program.

More information on FSA Programs: Producers are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office to explore program which they may be eligible. Producers can locate their local office at: www.fsa.usda.gov/oh