The National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) reminds growers of the Sept. 9 deadline
to sign up for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), which provides assistance
to producers who have suffered crop losses because of damaging weather
conditions.
U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns said the programs are
aimed at helping producers recover from the devastating effects
of severe weather in counties that have received a presidential
disaster declaration. "I encourage all eligible farmers and
ranchers to enroll in these programs now before the sign-up periods
close in order to participate and receive this valuable assistance,”
he said.
NCGA Vice President
of Public Policy Jon Doggett encouraged growers to assess their
needs and send in applications ahead of time. “Producers need
to assess their losses, and, if they feel they are eligible, they
need to get their applications in immediately,” he said.
For the crop
years 2003 and 2004, the sign-up deadline is Sept. 9, 2005. For
the crop year 2005, the enrollment period ends Dec. 16, 2005. The
CDP provides assistance to producers who suffered 2003, 2004 or
2005 crop losses as the result of damaging weather or related conditions.
The 2005 crop losses are limited to those losses caused by a hurricane
season in counties that had a presidential disaster declaration.
Nearly $2 billion has been paid to producers since sign-up began
in mid-March 2005.
According to
the USDA announcement last week, producers can receive disaster
benefits for crop losses for only one of the 2003, 2004 or 2005
crop years. However, if a producer has been paid a CDP payment for
a 2003 or 2004 crop loss and is subsequently approved for a CDP
payment for a greater 2005 crop loss, the amount of the 2003 or
2004 payment will be deducted from the 2005 payment and the difference
will be paid to the producer.
The USDA also
has programs available for the Livestock Assistance Program (LAP)
and American Indian Livestock Feed Program (AILFP). For more information
click here.
The site provides producers with one convenient location for details
on new and existing disaster assistance.