The Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program sign-up for 2013 crops began on Feb. 19. The DCP sign-up period will end on Aug. 2, and ACRE sign-up will end on June 3.

The only program change from 2012 to 2013 is that all eligible participants in 2013 may choose to enroll in either DCP or ACRE for the 2013 crop year. This means that eligible producers who were enrolled in ACRE in 2012 may elect to enroll in DCP in 2013 or may re-enroll in ACRE in 2013 (and vice versa).

At sign up, producers are given a CCC-509 Appendix to the signed contract. Paragraph 3P addresses payments and the subject of availability of funds. Payments may be reduced due to a sequester order required by Congress due to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. IF this should occur, this means that ALL producers would be affected by the reduction, regardless of the date of sign-up.