The election for the Farm Service Agency county committee members to represent producers in Local Administrative Areas No. 1 and No. 5 was conducted on Dec. 9 with the following results.

Elected for a three-year-term in LAA-1 as committee member was Randal Smith of Washington Township. Steven Lange of Slippery Rock was first alternate. Alternates are called upon for committee meetings and other assignments when the regular member is unable to attend.

LAA No. 1 is comprised of the following: Mercer, Slippery Rock, Marion, Venango, Allegheny, Parker, Washington, Brady, Worth, Cherry, Clay, Concord and Fairview townships.

Elected for a three-year term in LAA-5 as committee member was William McKenzie of Hanover Township. Steven Ratcliffe of Sewickley is the alternative member. LAA No. 5 is comprised of the following: Green, Potter, Raccoon, Center, Hanover, Independence and Hopewell townships in Beaver County and all of Allegheny County.

Committee members are paid for their time and are reimbursed mileage expenses. FSA committee members are responsible for administering FSA programs in Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties. In addition to providing guidance on program administration, county committee members are responsible for producer appeals from adverse decisions.

A locally elected FSA committee serves each agricultural county in the nation. Meetings are open to the public and are held at least monthly — sometimes more often depending upon program demand. The Butler/Beaver/Allegheny FSA office is staffed by four employees who conduct day-to-day operations for the committee.

By now, nearly all of the 2005 corn production is off, meaning harvested. For the most part it was a mixed bag as far as production per acre. Yields were superb in some areas while others were just average and some areas that did not receive rainfall at critical times are calculating a half crop. Corn producers who are just finishing up can still claim LDP benefits.The payment rate as of Dec. 16 was 20 cents per bushel. Producers must maintain beneficial interest in the corn production to qualify. Once it is sold or fed, that portion is ineligible.Producer reports indicated farm storage bins are full and commercial warehouses in the area are piling corn on the ground until storage becomes available. Reports such as that combined with low market prices, high-energy costs and fertilizer costs through the roof will certainly deter some production in 2006. Seed corn salesmen, however, are reporting that so far they have not noticed any reduction in their customers 2006 cropping plans. Some producers order early to capture discounts on seed for early order programs. Any way you figure, it will take a sharp pencil to calculate a profit.Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.