The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing up to $10 billion in payments through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. The payments are part of the American Relief Act and are designed to help offset higher inputs and falling commodity prices.

The Farm Service Agency will be handling the payments, which are based on planted and prevented planted acres. USDA Farm Production and Conservation Deputy Undersecretary Brooke Appleton says rates for eligible commodities are based per acre, not on production.

“To insure that payments don’t exceed the available funding, the first payment will be at 85 percent,” said Appleton. “FSA may issue a second round of payments if funds remain.”

Appleton said that ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50 percent for acres reported as prevented plant.

Acreage reports and applications must be submitted by August 15.

Producers must have the following forms on file with FSA:

Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet. Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable). Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity. Form CCC 943, 75 percent of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certification (if applicable). AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification. SF-3881, Direct Deposit.

Form CCC 943 is a new form. Most farmers likely have the other paperwork on file, but if uncertain check with your local FSA office. For more information or to apply for ECAP contact your local FSA office or go online to fsa.usda.gov/ecap.