Deadline Approaches for three Farm Service Agency Programs

Morris, Minn. -Stevens County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Veronica Curfman, reminds producers that the approaching June 1, 2012, deadline is for Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE), the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the 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 Curfman. "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," she said.

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 between 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 and ACRE participants receive a direct 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.

An additional payment known as counter-cyclical varies depending on market prices and is issued only when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price. The additional payment for ACRE participants protects producers from farm market revenue declines and is only issued 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.

For questions regarding SURE, DCP or ACRE sign-up, please contact the Stevens County FSA office at 320.589.4886.