The 2002-07 Direct & Counter-cyclical Program will officially end Sept. 30, which makes it urgent for DCP producers to provide county Farm Service Agency offices with all completed forms and documents necessary for U.S. Department of Agriculture program payment eligibility.
This means if producers have not yet either filed or made any needed revisions to forms CCC-502, Farm Operating Plan for Payment Eligibility Review, AD-1026, HELC Conservation Certification, and CCC-526, Average Adjusted Gross Income Certification, they must do so by no later than Sept. 30 or face loss of 2007 year benefits.
Sept. 30 also serves as the final date for producers to enroll their farms into DCP with the payment of a $100 per farm late fee.
Since Sept. 30 falls on a Sunday thisyear, it is recommended that producers perform their filings by Friday, Sept. 28, since this is the last workday before the established due date.
USDA intends to process final 2007 DCP payments after Oct. 1; therefore, extensions are not allowed for any reason beyond the Sept. 30 filing deadline.
Also, FSA has announced that through Nov. 30, 2007, cotton producers can request a referendum on whether to continue the 1991 amendments to the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.
Cotton producers may submit their requests at local FSA service centers. FSA is polling cotton producers on behalf of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
No action on the part of producers is required if they do not desire a continuance referendum.
Bill Harmon is executive director of the Marion County FSA office in Marion.
