News : Disaster assistance offered to 2009 soybean growers

Sign up has begun for the Crop Assistance Program which continues through December 9, 2010 for land physically located in Benton and Iowa counties. “Producers of soybeans who suffered losses due to excessive moisture or related conditions in 2009 are eligible,” says Calvin Rickels, County Executive Director for the Benton County FSA Office.

Producers of eligible crops on FSA farms who can certify to a 5 percent or greater crop loss will receive a predetermined soybean payment rate of $15.62 times the planted acres of the crop. Because of funding limitations, producers will initially receive 75 percent of this payment and once sign up is complete they may receive up to an additional 25 percent.

To be eligible, land must be physically located in a Secretarial disaster designated county. “This program is a little different than other disaster programs we have had. If a farm or a portion of a farm is physically located Benton and/or Iowa County producers need to come in and apply,” Rickels added. “In some cases, there is a portion of a farm administered in a neighboring non-declared county, but a portion of that farm is physically located in this county or Iowa county. So producers in this situation are also eligible on that land but, need to apply in the county were their farm is administered.” Please call 319-472-5274, Ext. 2 for an appointment to apply in Benton County.

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 a 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, please contact the Benton County FSA office or the website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.