LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY BRIEFS

News Date March 09, 2010

Federal FY2011 Budget: United behind Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), the House Agriculture Committee rejected many of the fiscal year 2011 budget recommendations by President Barack Obama.  The panel sent a letter, as directed by law, to the House Budget Committee encouraging Budget Committee members to maintain funding at current levels and to not open up the farm bill.  The letter to the House Budget Committee is available online.  (Contact: Farm Policy)

Crop insurance deadline approaching: According to USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), the closing date for producers to sign up for crop insurance is next Monday, Mar. 15.  Now more than ever, crop insurance is critical as it is required to be eligible for USDA disaster assistance programs, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE).  For a complete list of crops covered under this deadline, please visit the RMA’s website.  Additional information on crop insurance options and disaster assistance programs, including the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), please visit FSA’s website or contact your local FSA office. (Contact: David Hickey)

Direct and Counter-cyclical Payments:  Producers with upland cotton and peanut base acres enrolled in USDA's Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) program will be receiving partial 2009-crop counter-cyclical payments, according to a USDA press release.  After 180 days of the marketing year, certain producers may be eligible to receive an amount up to 40 percent of the projected counter-cyclical rate, which is an amount equal to the difference between the target price, as determined by the 2008 Farm Bill, and the effective price, calculated by the average market price plus the direct payment rate. USDA also announced that they will not issue final 2008-crop counter-cyclical payments for long grain rice and short and medium grain rice. For additional information on the DCP program, including details regarding the prices and rates, please visit the FSA DCP website, or visit your local FSA office. (Contact: David Hickey)