ACRE Sign-up Period Announced

Beginning April 27th and continuing through August 14th producers can elect and enroll in the Average Crop Revenue Election program. Producers who elect the ACRE program for a farm agree to forgo counter-cyclical payments; accept a 20-percent reduction of the direct payments; and accept a 30-percent reduction in loan rates for all commodities produced on the farm. Commodities eligible for ACRE payments are wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, safflower, mustard seed, rapeseed, sesame seed, crambe, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas and large chickpeas.

As Secretary Tom Vilsack noted, - the Average Crop Revenue Election program is an innovative alternative to the traditional farm safety net. This new option presents an opportunity for producers to review both programs and decide which one will work best for their operation. Producers may elect and enroll in ACRE for the 2009 crop year even if they have already accepted advance direct payments under the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program.

ACRE is a provision of the 2008 Farm Bill and USDA will not accept any late-filed applications. Also, once enrolled in the ACRE program, you must remain in it for the life of the 2008 Farm Bill.