The deadline for updating base acreage and program yields has been extended, but farmers must also concentrate on choosing one of the safety net programs in the new farm bill. And the choice, which also must be made at the county Farm Service Agency office by March 31, won't be simple or universal, according to Dave Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) director of research and commodity programs.

Instead, Miller said during a recent presentation to the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Policy Information Conference, each farmer is going to have to look hard at his or her own specifics and determine which farm safety net program...