USDA says producers can enroll in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program beginning April 27. ACRE is the new option to the traditional counter-cyclical payments provided in the 2008 farm bill.

Producers will have until Aug. 14 to make their decision for the 2009 crop. Producers who elect the ACRE program for a farm agree to: 1) forgo counter-cyclical payments; 2) accept a 20% reduction of the direct payments; and 3) accept a 30% reduction in loan rates for all commodities produced on the farm. More info about the ACRE program is available at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office.