Press Releases

USDA Making Last Year's Oilseed Payments This Week
1999 Payments Mailing After 8 Months

Eight months after Congress approved last October's $475 million assistance to oilseed producers, USDA will make good on those 1999 payments beginning this week — so many months late that both a new crop and congressional approval for this year's oilseed payments are already in place.

"USDA will now clear last year's payments off the desk, in just about the same time that the president is expected to act on legislation from Congress that will set in motion this year's payments," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX).  "It's a good thing that farmers have long memories."

Signup ended March 31, but USDA will accept late signup if producers' applications are filed by June 22.  Those eligible include producers who planted soybeans, sunflowers, flaxseed, canola, rapeseed, safflower seed, mustard, and crambe in 1999.

USDA has estimated the 1999 Oilseed Program payments for a typical 100-acre farm.

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