Business : 2009 Crop Assistance Program or CAP deadline

Vinton, Iowa, November 19, 2010 – The deadline for signing up for the 2009 Crop Assistance Program or CAP is December 9, 2010. “If you produced soybeans in 2009 and suffered at least a 5 percent loss due to excessive moisture or a related condition, you may be eligible,” said Calvin Rickels, County Executive Director for the Benton County FSA Office.

Producers of soybeans on FSA farms who can certify up 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. “We want to make sure everyone who has land physically located in Benton county is aware they may be eligible,” Rickels added. Unlike other disaster programs, if a farm or even a tract of land is physically located in a secretarial designated disaster county, the producer maybe eligible for the program. “Producers in this situation need to apply in the county were their FSA farm number administered.”

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 on the XXX, please contact the Benton County FSA office or the website athttp://www.fsa.usda.gov.

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