Colorado Corn

April 9: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that farmers can enroll in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program beginning Monday, April 27. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)was one of the organizations that spearheaded this innovative program in the 2008 farm bill.

Growers have until Aug.14 to make their decision for the 2009 crop. USDA will not accept any late-filed applications. Those 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.

To elect ACRE for a farm, producers must complete Form CCC-509 ACRE, which irrevocably elects ACRE for the farm through crop year 2012. Form CCC-509, the contract to participate in ACRE, must then be completed each year the producer intends to participate and receive benefits. For more information about the ACRE program please visit your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

NCGA encourages growers to begin organizing their production and crop insurance records required for the enrollment and election process. Access to calculators to evaluate the potential benefits of the ACRE program and related information are available at the NCGA ACRE Resource Center Web site.