Farmers reminded of June 2, CCC deadline

Farmers are reminded of the June 2, deadline for requesting Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) commodity loans and/or loan deficiency payments (LDPs) (if applicable) on 2007 crop cotton, corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, and sunflowers. This applies whether the commodity was mechanically harvested as whole grain or other than whole grain.

According to Robert Helmer, County Executive Director of the Evangeline Parish Farm Service Agency (FSA), after the June 2, deadline, 2007 crop commodities that have not been put in loan with the Farm Service Agency, or a loan deficiency payment requested, will no longer be eligible for benefits.

The deadline, Helmer said, also applies to any excess quantity stored either on the farm or in a public warehouse for which benefits have not been previously requested.

Helmer suggested a farmer, who has not previously obtained benefits on a certain quantity, maintains beneficial interest in the commodity, and is not ready to sell the commodity should consider using the commodity as collateral for a Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loan. At loan maturity, a producer may choose to forfeit the commodity in lieu of payment.

Additional information on 2007 crop loans and loan deficiency payments may be obtained from the Evangeline Parish Farm Service Agency Office.