WASHINGTON, May 18, 2006 - Farm Service Agency Administrator Teresa Lasseter today reminded agricultural producers that they have until June 1, 2006, to sign up for the 2006-crop Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program (DCP).

"I encourage farmers and growers to sign up for DCP by June 1 by visiting a USDA Farm Service Agency office or by using the convenient online DCP service," said Lasseter. "This program plays an important role in providing producers income support."

USDA will accept late-filed DCP applications through Sept. 30, 2006, if accompanied by a $100 late fee. Producers will be unable to apply for 2006 DCP payments after Sept. 30, 2006. Sign-up for the 2006 DCP began Oct. 1, 2005.

The 2002 Farm Bill requires that producers sign annual contracts through 2007 to participate in DCP. Producers may choose not to participate in DCP in any year. USDA has issued more than $28 billion in DCP payments to producers since the program began in October 2002.

ONLINE DCP SIGN-UP

Producers may sign up online for DCP on FSA's Web page. Producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account to use the service. This requires filling out an online registration form at http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov and visiting the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office for identity verification.

The online service allows producers to choose 2006 DCP payment options, assign crop shares, as well as sign and submit their contracts over the Internet. The service is easy to use. It reduces paperwork and speeds up contract processing at FSA offices saving time for producers and FSA employees.

More information on DCP is available at local FSA offices and in the DCP fact sheet posted here. FSA's Web site is www.fsa.usda.gov.