On January 28 and 29, IL Corn will host a series of Farm Bill webinars, presented by Dr. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois, to help you navigate what is probably the most complicated Farm Bill in recent history.  The schedule for those two days is as follows (click on the link to register):

Wed, Jan 28, 2015 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST

Wed, Jan 28, 2015 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST

Thu, Jan 29, 2015 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM CST

You must register for the webinar ahead of time, which will allow the presenters to send you the necessary information and links to participate in the webinar.  Additionally, webinars will be recorded and available for download on this website or via DVD in the U.S. mail.  To request a DVD recording of a webinar, please click here to send your name and address to IL Corn.

The webinar will cover the decisions to 1) keep or update yields, 2) retain or reallocate base acres, and 3) choose a program to receive commodity program payments.  Commodity program choices are Agricultural Risk Coverage at the county level (ARC-CO), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), and ARC at the individual farm level (ARC-IC).

General advice will be given.  To maximize risk protection, landowners generally will choose the yield option with the highest yield and choose the acre allocation that minimizes soybean acres and maximizes corn acres.

The University of Illinois College of ACES will be hosting live meetings around the state to help you make Farm Bill decisions as well.  If you prefer an in person meeting to a webinar, one of these might fit into your schedule.

Seminar Dates and Locations • Click Here to Register

Jan 30 - Sycamore - 8-11 am - DeKalb Center for Agriculture

Jan 30 - Rockford - 1-4 pm - NIU Conference Center

Feb 5 - Kankakee - 8-11 am - Hilton Garden Inn

Feb 5 - Oglesby - 1-4 pm - IL Valley Community College

Feb 6 - Macomb - 8-11 am - Spoon River Outreach Center

Feb 6 - Springfield - 1-4 pm - Crowne Plaza

Feb 11 - Champaign - 8-11 am - I-Hotel

Feb 11 - Bloomington - 1-4 pm - Asmark Center

Feb 12 - Effingham - 8-11 am - Keller Convention Center

Feb 12 - Mt. Vernon - 1-4 pm - Rend Lake Community College

Feb 13 - Carterville - 8-11 am - John A Logan Community College

Feb 13 - Collinsville - 1-4 pm - Gateway Convention Center

And if none of these options are the right fit, you might find the following resources of value:

The University of Illinois FarmDoc website has some great resources for you, including those listed below.

OVERVIEW OF COMMODITY PROGRAM DECISIONS FOR THE 2014 FARM BILL 

FARM BILL TOOL BOX - step by step directions and the data to consider when making your decisions.

WEBINAR: ARC PLC DECISION STEPS TUTORIAL

WEBINAR: FARM BILL DECISION AIDS AND PROGRAMS

WEBINAR: INFORMATION COLLECTION

WEBINAR: PAYMENT YIELD UPDATE DECISION

WEBINAR: BASE ACRE REALLOCATION OPTIONS

FACT SHEET: PAYMENT YIELD UPDATE OPTIONS

FACT SHEET: BASE ACRE REALLOCATION OPTIONS

This Farm Bill Calculator will also help you make program decisions.  Input farm information, your best guess on pricing information, and forecast how each farm program option might perform for you and your family.

Finally, check out the following IL Corn articles on Farm Bill 2014.

YIELD EXCLUSION OPTION: WILL IT HELP YOUR FARM?

FARM BILL 2014 CALCULATOR: UNDERSTAND YOUR FARM PROGRAM DECISIONS

REALLOCATE OR NOT: THAT IS THE QUESTION?

FARM BILL TOOLBOX LAUNCHED

Click here to watch previously held Farm Bill webinars at your convenience