Farm Briefs
FSA's committee ballots due Monday
Ballots are due next Monday for the Farm Service Agency's county committee elections. Those ballots were mailed to eligible voters in early November.
"The role and input of our county committee members is more vital than ever at a time when our country faces important choices regarding the funding and operation of our government," said Scherrie Giamanco, FSA state executive director.
"New county committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of disaster and conservation programs. With better participation in recent years, we are seeing promising increases in the number of women and minority candidates, helping to better represent the richness of American agriculture."
County committee members provide a link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To be an eligible voter, farmers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. Eligible voters who did not receive ballots can obtain them from their local U.S.D.A. office.
Ballots can be submitted in person to the local office, or mailed in, as long as they're postmarked by the Dec. 5 deadline.
For more information, call the state FSA office at 217-241-6600.
Disaster claims deadline is Jan. 30
Farmers who had livestock losses or grazing losses during the 2011 crop year are reminded that Jan. 30, 2012, is the deadline for applying for benefits under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program sponsored by the USDA's Farm Service Agency.
"It is imperative that producers meet the deadline for disaster assistance, as there are no late file provisions for the program," said Scherrie Giamanco, state executive director of FSA. "To ensure a smooth application process, producers should have all required supporting documentation with them at the time they apply for benefits."
The program provides emergency assistance to eligible producers who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or wildfires that occurred before Oct. 1, 2011.
In order to qualify for the program benefits, producers must have purchased insurance coverage through FSA's Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
Beef association meeting Thursday
The Southern Illinois Beef Association will host a meeting this Thursday at Wilkey's Cafe at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport in Mt. Vernon.
The 6:30 p.m. event will include several speakers: Dr. Jody Wade, senior field veterinary consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim, will discus vaccine technology and how it affects quality assurance issues; Cammie Johnson, regional sales manager for Boehringer Ingelheim; and Steve Carruthers with Greenville Livestock Auction, discussing the company's vaccination program.
For more information, call Terry Mefford at 231-0800.
