Details of the $16 billion support package for farmers were released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:  USDA Press Release. K·Coe Isom’s Farm Program Services team has compiled these key guidelines for producers who want to apply for MFP Payments:

MFP Payment guidelines:

  • Payment limit is a combined $250,000 for non-specialty crops per person/entity. The limits are $250,000 for dairy and hog; $250,000 for specialty crop. All separate limits. No applicant can receive more than $500,000. This is not well explained, but seems to be combined non-specialty/specialty/dairy and hogs and not per operation.
  • First payment will be the higher of $15, or 50%, of the county rate.
  • First payment to be made mid-to-late August. Second and third payments are not guaranteed, but are slated for November and January if applicable.

Crops:

  • Producers should have timely certified crops with FSA.
  • Producers must have crops planted to a farm number with FSA.
  • Producers who filed ‘prevented plant claims’ and certified with FSA, planted a (FSA Certified) cover crop (with potential to be harvested or used as forage), qualify for $15/acre MFP payment. Cover crop must be planted by August 1, 2019.

Eligibility:

  • Eligible producers must have an average AGI less than $900,000 or have at least 75 percent of their AGI from farming or ranching. (This is for 2015, 2016, 2017.)
  • Must have an AD-1026 on file with FSA and comply with “Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation” regulations.
  • Application period starts Monday, July 29th.

Below are details regarding the commodities that can apply.  For more information, visit the Market Facilitation Program website:  https://www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp

Non-Specialty Crops – County Rate $/Acre

  • Alfalfa Hay
  • Barley
  • Canola
  • Corn
  • Crambe
  • Dried Beans
  • Dried Peas
  • Extra-Long Staple Cotton
  • Flaxseed
  • Lentils
  • Long/Medium Grain Rice
  • Millet
  • Mustard Seed
  • Oats
  • Peanuts
  • Rapeseed
  • Rye
  • Safflower
  • Sesame Seed
  • Small/Large Chickpeas
  • Sorghum
  • Soybeans
  • Sunflower Seed
  • Terperate Japonica Rice
  • Triticale
  • Upland Cotton
  • Wheat

For questions or help regarding MFP payments eligibility, contact our Farm Program Services advisors.