USDA extends program sign-up deadline

PARIS – Gary Raymond, Oxford County executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency, announced that FSA has extended the sign-up deadline for the 2007 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program to Aug. 3, 2007.

Problems with the FSA’s Web-based computer system caused agency officials to extend the deadline in order to ensure adequate opportunity for all producers to participate in the sign-up. While the sign-up deadline is extended, the cut-off for participation remains Sept. 30. Those producers failing to sign up by Aug. 3, but before Sept. 30, will pay a late-file fee of $100.

Enrollment in DCP for the 2007 contract period began Oct. 1, 2006, and was scheduled to end on June 1, 2007. The extension applies only to the enrollment period, and does not extend the DCP contract period. DCP provides payments to eligible producers on farms enrolled for the 2002 through 2007 crop year. There are two types of DCP payments – direct payments and counter-cyclical payments. Both are computed using the base acres and payment yields established for the farm. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 authorizes DCP, which is administered by FSA.