FSA guaranteed loans allow lenders to provide agricultural credit to farmers who do not meet the lender’s normal underwriting criteria. Farmers and ranchers apply for a guaranteed loan through a lender, and the lender arranges for the guarantee. FSA can guarantee up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. Guaranteed loans can be used for both farm ownership and operating purposes.

Guaranteed farm ownership loans can be used to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings, develop farmland to promote soil and water conservation or to refinance debt.

Guaranteed operating loans can be used to purchase livestock, farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel, farm chemicals, insurance anwd other operating expenses.

FSA can guarantee farm ownership and operating loans up to $1,399,000. Repayment terms vary depending on the type of loan, collateral and the producer’s ability to repay the loan. Operating loans are normally repaid within seven years and farm ownership loans are not to exceed 40 years.

Please contact your lender or local FSA farm loan office for more information on guaranteed loans.

Selected interest rates

for August 2017

90-Day Treasury Bill – 1 percent

Farm Operating Loans — Direct – 2.75 percent

Farm Ownership Loans — Direct – 3.75 percent

Farm Ownership Loans — Direct Down Payment, Beginning Farmer or Rancher – 1.5 percent

Emergency Loans – 3.7 5 percent

Farm Storage Facility Loans (3 years) – 1.500 percent

Farm Storage Facility Loans (5 years) – 1.875 percent

Farm Storage Facility Loans (7 years) – 2.125 percent

Farm Storage Facility Loans (10 years) – 2.250 percent

Farm Storage Facility Loans (12 years) – 2.375 percent

Commodity Loans 1996-Present – 2.250 percent

Dates to Remember

• Aug. 31:

Deadline to sign and submit 2017 late filed ARCPLC Contracts.

• Sept. 1:

2018 Signup for MPP-Dairy begins.

• Sept. 1:

Deadline to submit 2018 NAP application for coverage, pay fee and elect buy up coverage for Value Loss crops.

• Sept. 30:

Deadline to submit 2018 acreage report of value loss crops.

• Sept. 30:

Deadline to submit 2018 NAP application for coverage, pay fee and elect buy up coverage for small grains, wheat and triticale crops for forage.

• Oct. 31:

Deadline to submit 2017 Organic Certification Cost Share Program applications.

• Continuous:

Submit AD-1026 prior to forest land being cleared for agricultural use and new ground (hay and pasture) to be planted to a row crop or vegetable.

• Continuous:

Need on farm grain, hay or cold storage, consider FSFL for your storage needs. Contact your local FSA Office for more details.