ASA is aware of soybean storage issues around the country and that many growers are not harvesting their crop, leading to questions about eligibility for Market Facilitation Program payments.

ASA has confirmed with FSA that MFP payments will be made on bushels that are mechanically harvested.  Crops do not need to be stored in bins or a local elevator for farmers to estimate production. FSA will accept a producer’s record of bushels harvested. Also, severe quality loss is not a factor in determining eligibility for the payment, just the volume of production.

Background:

On August 27, USDA announced that, producers of soybeans and six other farm commodities with prices impacted by China’s 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans could apply for payments under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP). The initial payment of $1.65 per bushel for soybeans is available on one-half of 2018 production.  Producers should not apply until they finish harvesting their crop.  The deadline for applying for this initial payment is January 15, 2019.  There will be no pro ration of payments based on the number or volume of total applications.  One-half of every farmer’s 2018 production will receive the $1.65 payment.

Eligible growers can apply in person at local USDA service centers, or download a PDF form here.

USDA is expected to announce whether an MFP payment will be made on the second half of 2018 production by December 3.  If a payment is made, producers who have already applied at FSA will not need to do so again.

Please pass this information along to growers as you see fit.