07/02/08 Direct, counter cyclical signup

Normally producers can sign up for direct and counter cyclical payments beginning October first and continuing through until September 30th. Deputy Farm Service Agency Administrator John Johnson says this wasn't a normal year and now there's a compressed signup period. JOHNSON "But because of the late passage of the farm bill this year we weren't able to start signup until we had that legislation in place and then it made some minor changes to the 2008 program which we had to make some software adjustment for and we've got that done." Johnson says producers should try to get to their local FSA office as soon as possible or go on line to www.fsa.usda.gov to sign up for this year's programs. JOHNSON "If they elect to receive an advanced payment those payments will start flowing sometime in July." Normally there was a 100 dollar late fee for any sign ups after June first. Johnson says that fee is being waived this year because signups are just getting started. JOHNSON "So no late fee but we do have to get all of this work done by September 30th and so its really important for producers who are interested in this program to get that appointment scheduled with their county office and get a date and time to get this done before September 30th." Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott