Along with adding clarity for expected safety net payments for the 2014 crop year under the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) program, new Iowa county yield data provides a clearer picture of potential farm program outcomes for the 2015 crop year, according to Ed Kordick, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) commodity services manager.

"Because farmers are enrolling this month in a program that extends for five years, it’s critical for farmers to have as much information as possible," Kordick said. "Knowing the 2014 county yields and how they impact the 2015 crop year calculations may help farmers in their decision process on the farm bill programs."

Farmers have until March 31 to elect either ARC or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) as their farm safety net program through 2018, when the current farm bill expires. In addition,...