Conservation Assistance Loan Act of 2018

To establish nonrecourse conservation assistance loans for loan commodities produced on certain farms, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Conservation Assistance Loan Act of 2018 2. Availability of nonrecourse conservation assistance loans for loan commodities (a) Nonrecourse loans available (1) In general For each of the 2018 through 2022 crops of each loan commodity, the Secretary shall make available to qualified producers on a farm nonrecourse conservation assistance loans for loan commodities produced on the farm. (2) Qualified producer In this section, the term qualified producer 7 U.S.C. 9031 (b) Eligible production The producers on a farm shall be eligible for a conservation assistance loan under subsection (a) for any quantity of a loan commodity produced on the farm. (c) Loan rates for nonrecourse conservation assistance loans (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), for purposes of each of the 2018 through 2022 crop years, the loan rate for a conservation assistance loan under this section for a loan commodity shall be— (A) for beginning farmers and ranchers (as determined by the Secretary), 75 percent of the national average price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year for the loan commodity for the most recent 5 crop years, excluding— (i) the crop year with the highest price; and (ii) the crop year with the lowest price; and (B) for producers not described in paragraph (1), 60 percent of the national average price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year for the loan commodity for the most recent 5 crop years, excluding— (i) the crop year with the highest price; and (ii) the crop year with the lowest price. (2) Special rule for cover crops In the case of a producer who agrees to plant a cover crop on acres associated with the loan commodity, the applicable loan rate under paragraph (1) shall be increased by an amount equal to $0.20 per bushel. (d) Terms of loans (1) In general In the case of each loan commodity, a conservation loan under this section shall have a term of 9 months beginning on the first day of the first month after the month in which the loan is made. (2) Extensions prohibited The Secretary may not extend the term of a conservation assistance loan for any loan commodity. (e) Repayment of loans (1) In general The Secretary shall permit the producers on a farm to repay a conservation assistance loan under this section for a loan commodity at a rate that is the lesser of the following: (A) The loan rate established under subsection (c). (B) A rate that is equal to the expected market price for the loan commodity as calculated for crop insurance, as determined by the Secretary. (C) Such other rate the Secretary determines will avoid or minimize potential loan forfeitures. (2) Adjustments The Secretary shall make all adjustments that the Secretary determines necessary to— (A) avoid forfeiture or the accumulation of stocks of the commodities placed under a loan under this section; (B) minimize the costs incurred by the Federal Government; (C) allow the commodity produced to be marketed freely and competitively, both domestically and internationally; (D) minimize discrepancies in conservation loan benefits across State boundaries and across country boundaries; and (E) in the case of a producer who is prevented from planting a commercial crop due to weather or other natural events that interfered with cover crop determined (as determined by the Secretary), the Secretary may forgive the portion of the loan calculated under subsection (c)(2). (f) Compliance requirements As a condition of the receipt of a conservation assistance loan under this section, the producer shall during the crop year of the loan— (1) comply with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3811 16 U.S.C. 3821 (2) agree to use a reduced tillage method and nutrient management practices (as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for soil health management) for the acres associated with the commodity covered by the loan; and (3) in the case of a loan calculated under subsection (c)(2), agree to plant a cover crop on the acres associated with the loan commodity, as determined by the Secretary to be appropriate. (g) Farm Service Agency report The Administrator of the Farm Service Agency shall submit an annual report to the Secretary that includes the information with respect to the compliance requirements specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (f) relating to each conservation assistance loan under this section that was fully repaid in the preceding fiscal year.

Summary: Conservation Assistance Loan Act of 2018 This bill establishes a Department of Agriculture (USDA) nonrecourse conservation assistance loan program. Under the program, farmers who receive loans must meet certain conservation requirements, including: (1) complying with applicable conservation and wetland protection requirements under the Food Security Act of 1985, (2) using a reduced tillage method and nutrient management practices, and (3) planting a cover crop. (Under a nonrecourse loan, a farmer pledges a commodity as collateral and may deliver the pledged collateral to USDA to repay the loan.)