The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers, consistent with requirements Congress mandated in the 2014 Farm Bill. The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. In the Farm Bill, Congress gave …read more.

By KELLY HECKAMAN Extension Educator, Purdue Extension Kosciusko County There are two free meetings scheduled in north central Indiana on Monday, Dec. 15 where you can learn how the new farm program works and also have a chance to work through some examples. In Warsaw, the meeting will be offered at 6:30 p.m. in the …read more.

By JEFF BURBRINK Extension Educator, Purdue Extension-Elkhart County This fall, there is a great deal of interest in the 2014 farm bill. There have been some major adjustments to the program. The Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs are replacing the direct payment program of previous years. There are two plans available through …read more.

U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman, who worked earlier this year to usher a Farm Bill that separated agriculture and nutrition programs through the House for the first time in nearly 40 years, issued the following statement today in reaction to news reports stating that agriculture and nutrition programs will be combined in conference committee: “As a …read more.

One thing is certain for corn farmers in 2013, and that is the importance of risk management amid extreme uncertainty in yields and revenues, Purdue agricultural economist Chris Hurt said. Three years of below-normal corn yields and ongoing drought in the western corn belt have the potential to drive corn prices to record highs in …read more.