WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for a portion of $10 billion in direct funding that will go to farmers who are struggling to survive because of increasing market pressures.
The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program will send producers a pre-filled application based on 2024 acreage reporting data after program signup begins on Wednesday.
Plant and prevent plant data needs to be submitted by August 15 online, or at a Farm Service Agency office.
USDA says the department aims to release initial payments by March 21 which will come to 85 percent with supplemental payments to follow in the summer.
For acres reported as prevented plant, ECAP assistance will by calculated at 50 percent.
Eligible commodities include wheat, corn, sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, flax and sunflower.
Only one application is required for all ECAP eligible commodities.
In a statement, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the program “is an important step to help producers recover from the challenging markets, and comes as part of our commitment to keep our farmers and ranchers in the game”
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