Farm payments deadline June 1

Roane County farmers are reminded that June 1 is the deadline for Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments, the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program.

“It is crucial that producers meet the deadline for these programs in order to receive disaster and income support,” said Linda R. Tipton, Roane/Loudon County USDA Farm Service Agency acting executive director.

“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 in counties designated as a primary or contiguous disaster county by the Secretary of Agriculture and between producers 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.

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.

Call the Roane/Loudon County FSA office at 376-2392 for more information about these programs.