USDA Provides Disaster Assistance to Producers of Soybeans

EAST LANSING, MI - Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - Christine White, State Executive Director for Michigan's Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that starting yesterday, producers can begin signing up for USDA's Crop Assistance Program (CAP). CAP provides disaster aid to producers in specified Michigan counties whose soybean production was adversely affected by excessive moisture and related conditions that occurred in 2009. Signup will continue through December 9, 2010.

"This program is only applicable to acreage located in a primary disaster designated county and does not extend to acreage in contiguous counties," said White. "A complete list of disaster counties can be found online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov."

CAP payments will be calculated by multiplying eligible acreage times the crops payment rate. Per acre payment rates will be prorated by FSA in order to keep payments within available funds for the program. Producers will initially receive 75 percent of their CAP payment and once sign up is complete, they will receive up to an additional 25 percent. The predetermined, per-acre, payment rates for soybeans is $15.62.

Producers will self-certify that they have met the loss threshold for an eligible crop, provided they have production evidence to support the 5 percent or greater loss claimed. Producers certification of loss are subject to spot check.

The general eligibility provisions, payment limits, and adjusted gross income limits that apply to FSA programs apply to CAP. No person or legal entity (excluding joint venture or general partnership) may receive, directly or indirectly, more than $100,000 in CAP benefits. Additionally, CAP payments will be treated as 2009 revenue under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program.

For more information about USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance programs, visit a local FSA county office or http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.