The last day for food producers to enroll in the 2012 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program will be June 1, according to a press release from the USDA. 

The USDA calculates DCP program payments using base acres and payment yields established for each farm. Eligible producers receive direct payments at rates established by statute regardless of market prices.

For 2012, advance direct payments are not authorized in accordance to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Counter-cyclical payment rates vary depending on market prices and are only issued when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price. 

New for 2012 is an additional average adjusted gross income limitation of $1 million that is applicable to all recipients of 2012 direct payments. All 2012 direct payments are subject to this average AGI limitation in addition to the $500,000 average nonfarm AGI and the $750,000 average farm AGI limitations.

For more information on these programs, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.