RUSHVILLE —
Dear Editor:
The drought of 2012 is the most serious to impact U.S. agriculture since 1988, and some would suggest it rivals that year. American agriculture, and more importantly, American farmers are resilient against adversity. Certainly, advancements on the farm, in the lab and in the marketplace continue to help agriculture weather natural disasters more easily than just a few years ago. However, it still does not take away the fact that a farmer's goal is to do his part to feed more of the world this year than he did last year. This has been a tough year and growing season to realize that goal.
The widespread drought that has plagued the Hoosier state, along with other "I" states has imposed stress on people, crops and livestock. As we wait the next few months to truly assess the Indiana corn and soybean crop, many farmers have already realized their crop will be significantly less, and in some instances may be zero. This is a dramatic change from the start of the growing season as initial projections were that U.S. farmers would harvest the largest corn crop on record.
Personally, on our farm, we began feeding hay to cattle in mid-June, so the shortage of feed and forage also is a hardship that producers are facing this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data suggests that most of the row crops in the drought-stricken Hoosier landscape are covered by crop insurance. During the summer of 2012, USDA's Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced several administrative actions to assist farmers across the country. First and foremost, USDA streamlined the disaster designation process that has allowed USDA to quickly and efficiently authorize
emergency aid to farmers, including Indiana where all 92 counties have been declared natural disaster areas for drought.
USDA also lowered the interest rate for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent and authorized emergency haying and grazing on 144,000 Hoosier acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practices. To further assist, FSA reduced the payment reduction for emergency haying grazing on those CRP practices from 25 percent to 10 percent.
Secretary Vilsack personally encouraged crop insurance companies to provide a short grace period for farmers on unpaid insurance premiums Ð and all of the major crop insurance companies agreed. In addition, most recently, changes have been made to the crop insurance program to allow producers to plant cover crops this fall that can provide much needed forage to livestock.
The FSA collection of disaster programs in the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. However, in light of a new Farm Bill or extension forthcoming from Congress, FSA recommends that owners and producers be proactive and record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including: documentation of the number and kind of livestock mortality, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses; dates of loss supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts; costs of transporting livestock to new pastures; and feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.
The drought underscores the need for Congress to complete action on a new farm bill. All sectors of agriculture Ð crop farmers, livestock, dairy and poultry producers Ð need assurance that improved risk management and disaster mitigation tools to help them remain viable in the marketplace, are on the way from Congress.
We will get through this. Harvest has started across the state. Farmers are buying seed to prepare and plan for crop year 2013. The resiliency of the American farmer is unparalleled.
Personally, my thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of Indiana farm families who have been affected by this natural disaster. Additionally, I am proud to work in this industry and with some of the most innovative, diverse and entrepreneurial people in America.
Julia A. Wickard
State executive director
Indiana Farm Service Agency
Letters to the Editor
Innovation and resiliency prevail amidst 2012 drought
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A grateful heart
Dear Editor:
The family of Johnny R. Tompkins would like to express our deepest gratitude to Ann Moster and Moster Mortuary for their caring and loving support in the midst of our grief and graciously assisting us with arrangements of a wonderful celebration of life for Johnny. -
RPL fundraising off to good start
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Rushville Public Library, the board of trustees extends its thanks to all who supported our recent kickoff of the capital campaign, “It’s Overdue, Renew.” -
Arc appreciation
Dear Editor:
The Arc of Rush County recently held a dance for Benjamin Rush students. -
Class Of ’63 Reunion Committee looks for classmates
As the Rushville High School Class of 1963, continues plans for their 50th reunion, organizers are seeking the assistance of the public in locating several classmates who are listed as “lost.”
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RCVA thanks BP/DOCS
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the Rush County Victims Assistance, Inc. Board of Directors, this letter is to publicly acknowledge and sincerely thank local BP DOCS Shops and BP Products North America, Inc. for the third and final installment of a grant approved in 2011 to support local organizations in the community where they do business. -
Giving thanks
Dear Editor:
We want to say a special thanks to the American Legion for the room and the use of everything and a special thanks to Kenny Walker for supplying the food extras and also everyone who brought food. -
Thanks
Dear Editor:
Thanks to my family and friends for all the care, prayers, calls, flowers, cards, gifts, food and visits during my illness, surgery and recuperation. Thanks also to Rush Memorial and the Home Health Care Team. -
Multiple acts of kindness don’t go unnoticed
Dear Editor:
My son Josh goes to Milroy Elementary. He is my special boy who is autistic. He is also the Salvation Army’s bell ringer with a big heart. -
Likes the lions
Dear Editor:
My family and I drive through Rushville to visit family. -
Remembering an old friend
Dear Editor:
The Mike Lacy I knew was a man who lived in the past. We only spent time with each other a few years, in high school and for a few years after. Mike and I shared a love of old movies, TV shows, music, and classic radio programs. Along with friends, we participated in parades in Rushville and other activities, dressing as the Marx Brothers with Mike portraying W.C. Fields (this was when Mike was heavier and before he became his svelte self). - More Letters to the Editor Headlines
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