Sign-ups start soon for 2012 ag programs

The 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the Average Crop Election Program enrollment began Monday, according to Farm Service Agency, County Executive Director Tory Bye.

DCP and ACRE are Federal farm programs which provide payments to producers of eligible crops in order to provide a financial farm safety net.

ACRE provides revenue protection against low market prices or low state and farm yields. Like DCP, a farm must have base acres of a covered commodity in order to be enrolled in ACRE. Eligible commodities include grain and feedstock crops.

Annual contracts are required to be signed to receive program benefits. All signatures of producers receiving a share in DCP and ACRE payments are required by June 1. Interested producers are encouraged to call the FSA office to request an appointment.

All producers with a crop share interest on DCP base acres must have a share in direct and counter-cyclical payments.

Changes on the farm before or after enrolling in DCP/ACRE must be immediately reported to the local FSA office. Examples: ownership changes, producer changes, individuals and entities, and change in crop shares arrangements.

FSA county office staff will be available to answer questions on program rules, application procedures and possible benefits. DCP/ACRE information is also available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.

For additional information, contact the Whitman County FSA Office at (509) 397-4301 extension 2.