Farm Credit Services of America

Producers are eligible for payments under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). These payments are intended to help manage the impact of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. Our analyst Marc Rosenbohm at Terrain dives into the program in a new report. Below are a few key details. ⬇ 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 The first payment for 85% of the eligible amount will be made relatively quickly after application. The remaining amount, which could be prorated if total program payment claims exceed $10 billion, will be made after the program application period closes on August 15, 2025. 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘀 Payments are made on reported acreage of eligible commodities that were either planted or prevented from being planted. Importantly, acreage of either category can still be reported to the FSA and be eligible for payments as long as reported before the August 15, 2025, program deadline. 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Payments are calculated as the flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres, added up across all eligible commodities. Eligible acres are generally 100% of reported planted acres plus 50% of prevent plant acres in 2024. Visit our website more information, including more on the application process and maximum payment limits. Link in comments below.

Join our April 2 webinar featuring Douglas Holtz-Eakin, renowned economist and policy expert, as he delves into the current economic landscape. This session will cover key factors shaping today's policy environment and provide a forward-looking perspective on economic trends. Register to watch live or later: https://lnkd.in/gpHtYuap

Serving rural America means more than financing farmers and ranchers – it means investing in the communities our teammates and customer-owners call home. Our Columbus office recently made a donation to the Creston Rural Fire Department to purchase new bunker gear and support the upkeep of their new fire truck. This contribution will ensure the department can continue to provide essential fire and rescue services to the surrounding rural communities. 

BRICS+ has the economic size and population base to wield global influence. In a new report, our senior rural economy analyst, Matt Clark, considers the implications for the farm economy, including whether the economic alliance (made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and new entrants) can completely move away from U.S. agriculture and the dollar. Find out more 👉 https://brnw.ch/21wRktI #FarmEconomy #Agriculture #BRICSPlus

Nobody beats the American farmer when it comes to producing food. Join us in thanking the farmers and ranchers who work every day to produce safe and nutritious food. #NationalAgDay

If you haven’t tried using precision farming technology for acreage and production reporting, you could be missing out on saving time and money. Visit our website to view actual customer numbers showing fewer acres planted than were on file with the Farm Service Agency – and the corresponding premium savings. https://lnkd.in/g7f6ieXX

It’s human nature to compare current conditions to history. In doing so, we risk overlooking the difference. Join us as we review how 2025 is different than the last margin compression era. Register to watch live or later: https://lnkd.in/gEsipYDT This webinar will feature Agriculture Economic Insights co-founders David Widmar and Brent Gloy, and Chad Gent, our SVP of retail credit.

Our economist Matt Erickson shares an overview of the headwinds shaping volatility and uncertainty as producers enter a new production season. ⬇ 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲-𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 U.S. crop producers have experienced significant margin compression in the past year, and crop prices are expected to remain depressed in 2025. Producers continue to deal with ‘sticky’ costs like cash rents, machinery costs, production inputs and more. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 Soybean production in Brazil and Argentina is forecast to reach a record 220 million metric tons for marketing year 2024-25. Meanwhile, reduced supply and strong demand has led to an increase in U.S. corn prices in the first quarter of 2025. 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝘀 U.S. agriculture is concerned about the impact tariffs will have on its three top trade partners – Canada, China and Mexico. In 2024, these three countries accounted for 47% of total U.S. agricultural export value. While inherent to agriculture, uncertainty comes with a unique set of risks that require a fresh look at an operation’s financial position and strategies. Read the full article for steps producers can take to prepare for the year ahead. Link in comments.

As the world's population has grown, so has U.S. agriculture. Since 1990, U.S. farmers have produced 63% more tons of corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum. That is one example of the growth paradigm that has shaped the U.S. ag industry for the past 30 years. But, can the same paradigm carry the industry for another 30 years and successfully transition the farm to the next generation?   Our analyst Matt Clark at Terrain is diving into the question of how the world reaching peak population will affect agriculture. Part of that research means looking into exports and how trade shifts correspond with population growth. For example, Asia, whose population increased 50% from 1990 to 2024, is now the biggest buyer of U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat exports. Link to full article in the comments below.

Supporting hunger and nutrition programs through donations, grants and volunteerism is one way we work to strengthen the communities our customer-owners and teammates call home. We're proud to be involved in the Nourishment Nook and ensuring students have access to nutritious meals on the weekends.