June 1st conservation compliance deadline approaching

Apr 17, 2015

Producers should check if they’re eligible for crop insurance premium support

The United States Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that if they wish to remain or become eligible for crop insurance premium support, they must fill out the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form by Monday, June 1^st, 2015.

The requirement to have the form completed comes as part of the 2014 Farm Bill and USDA representatives are doing their part to inform farmers and other people who could benefit from the support.

"USDA employees are working very hard to get the word out about this new Farm Bill provision," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "While many producers will not need to take action, we want to help make sure that those who are required to act do so by the June 1 deadline. We want all eligible producers to be able to maintain their ability to protect their operations with affordable insurance."

Producers who fill out the form by Monday, June 1^st, 2015 will be eligible for the 2016 reinsurance year which begins on Wednesday, July 1^st, 2015.

Producers are being encouraged to visit the USDA service center most convenient to them and consult with their crop insurance agents before the deadline to ask as many questions and gather as much information as they need.

The USDA will also post a variety of rules and regulations for producers to access.

Join the conversation and tell us if you’ll submit your forms to be eligible for any crop insurance premium support.

A tractor in a field

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.