slideshow

Richmond County farmers have a critical deadline to consider.

Richmond County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Amy Yaklin reminds producers that Friday, June 1, is the fast-approaching deadline for Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE), the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE).

“It is absolutely crucial that Richmond County producers meet the deadline for these programs in order to receive disaster and income support,” said Yaklin. “Farmers and producers take risks. These programs form a safety net that keeps producers operating after a devastating natural disaster and during times of low market prices.”

The SURE program compensates producers for production and quality losses during times of disaster. Producers 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) on all crops.

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. 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,” said Yaklin. “Late file provisions are not available for ACRE. If elected in a previous year, producers must enroll for 2012 by June 1 to receive payment.”

Additional SURE, DCP or ACRE sign-up information is found at the Richmond County FSA office at 123 Caroline St., Suite 400, Rockingham. For more information, call 919-895-3950, ext. 2.