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GRASS ROOTS F E E D I N G T H E F U T U R E T H R O U G H F A R M E R S U N I O N E D U C AT I O N A P U B L I C AT I O N B Y M O N TA N A F A R M E R S U N I O N
FLOODING CREATES CHALLENGES FOR FARMERS B Y LY N D S AY B R U N O C O M M U N I C AT I O N S D I R E C T O R
Farmers across the state are waiting to see how their spring seeding plans will be impacted by the record snowfall. Montana typically faces drought situations so this year is atypical. Many producers are looking for alternatives to maximize their returns including Jeff Bangs of Inverness. Jeff says the lateness of spring and extreme snow cover will change his planting intentions. “I was penciling in about 600 acres of yellow peas, now I will be planting spring wheat and fallow in that area. Cereal grains will have a much better chance than yellow peas in this instance.”
Flooding on the Bishop Farm, Brady, MT; courtesy Andrew Bishop NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID GREAT FALLS, MT PERMIT NO. 93
Jeff also raises cattle on the ranch. The excessive moisture also has the potential to impact his livestock operation. “Exposed pond water can be a breeding ground for disease so that is a major concern right now. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation.”
typically 25 days after the final date, but varies by crop and area. Final planting dates vary by crop and county. The USDA Risk Management Agency does provide prevented planting choices:
Jeff said another option could be to file for prevent- - Plant the insured crop during the late planting ed planting disaster coverage to help cover some of period. See your policy or talk to your crop insurthe loss. ance agent for more information; - Leave the acreage idle and receive a full prevented According to the USDA Risk Management Agency planting payment; prevented planting is the failure to plant an insur- - Plant a cover crop during the late planting period ance crop with the proper equipment by the late and receive a full prevented planting payment, but PAGE plantingPAGE period.5In&addition a producer must bePAGE pre- do crop 8before Novem7 not hay or graze this cover 6 Arrowpeak vented plantingSolar by an insured cause of loss otherwise harvest2017 it at any time. If you hay or Sneak Peek ber of 1, the MFUfrom Sponsors Camp theme that is general to the surrounding area and that pregraze it before November 1, you will not receive a 2017 Producers Tour & Ag Technology vents other producers from planting acreage with prevented planting paymentrevealed! for your first crop; Conference Seminar similar characteristics. The late planting period is
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