May 16, 2012
Contacts:
Donna Ferguson (317) 290-3315
donna.ferguson@in.usda.gov
USDA Reminds Producers of Approaching Sign-Up Deadline for 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and Average Crop Revenue Election Program
Indianapolis, May 16, 2012 — Julia A. Wickard, State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers that enrollment for the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) ends on June 1, 2012.
“The deadline for DCP & ACRE signup is quickly approaching,” said Wickard. “Producers who want to participate need to take the time to enroll their farm(s) into these two safety net programs by June 1.”
Contact:
Shelly Bilderback
405-742-1041
shelly.bilderback@ok.usda.gov
Deadline Approaches for Three FSA Programs
STILLWATER, Okla., May 17, 2012 – Francie Tolle, executive director for the Oklahoma Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds producers that the approaching June 1, 2012, deadline is for 2010 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE), the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the 2012 Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE).
“It is crucial that producers meet the deadline for these programs in order to receive disaster and income support,” said Tolle. “FSA realizes that farmers and ranchers take risks everyday and these programs form part of the safety net that can keep producers operating after devastating natural disasters and during times of low market prices.”
The SURE program compensates producers for production and/or quality losses during times of disaster. All producers who have experienced crop production and/or crop quality losses during the 2010 crop year must apply for SURE program benefits by the June 1 deadline. Eligibility requirements differ between producers located in counties designated as a primary or contiguous disaster county by the Secretary of Agriculture and producers located in non-disaster counties. In addition to other eligibility requirements, producers must have purchased crop insurance through the Federal Crop Insurance Act or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
While SURE helps after natural disasters strike, DCP and ACRE provide income support when there is a decline in commodity prices. Eligible DCP participants receive a direct payment and/or a counter-cyclical payment. Direct payment rates are established by statute regardless of market prices. FSA reminds producers that the 2008 Farm Bill does not authorize advance direct payments for 2012. Counter-cyclical payments vary depending on market prices, and are issued only when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price.
ACRE protects producers from farm market revenue declines when revenue triggers are met for a commodity at both the state and farm level. “ACRE elections and enrollment must be completed by the June 1 deadline as late file provisions are not available for ACRE election,” said Tolle. “If elected in a previous year, producers must enroll for 2012 by June 1 to receive payment.”