Deadline approaches for 3 Farm Service Agency programs

[May 22, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- USDA Farm Service Agency in Illinois reminds producers of the approaching June 1 deadline for three programs: Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments, known as SURE; the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program, or DCP; and Average Crop Revenue Election, or ACRE.

"It is crucial that producers meet the deadline for these programs in order to receive disaster and income support," said Scherrie V. Giamanco, FSA state executive director. "FSA realizes that farmers and ranchers take risks every day, 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," she said.

The SURE program compensates producers for production or quality losses during times of disaster. All producers who have experienced crop production 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 by the secretary of agriculture as a primary or contiguous disaster county 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 or a countercyclical 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. Countercyclical 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. All owners and operators who will share in the DCP and ACRE payments on the farm must sign up by June 1.

"ACRE elections and enrollment must be completed by the June 1 deadline, as late-file provisions are not available for ACRE," said Giamanco. "If elected in a previous year, producers must enroll for 2012 by June 1 to receive payment," she said.

For more information regarding SURE, DCP or ACRE sign-up, contact your local county FSA office. Click here for contact information for the Logan County office.

[Text from file received from Illinois Farm Service Agency]