§9014 Payment acres

Summary

Determines how many acres on a farm count when calculating price loss coverage and agriculture risk coverage payments. If county coverage is picked, payment acres equal 85% of the farm’s base acres for each covered commodity. If individual coverage is picked, payment acres equal 65% of the farm’s total base acres for all covered commodities. A second crop on the same land during the same year does not count unless the county allows that double crop. A producer with 10 or fewer base acres on a farm cannot get payments unless their combined base acres on all farms they own are more than 10 acres. The small‑farm rule does not apply to socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, or veteran farmers or ranchers. Explains special rules for generic base acres and for planting fruits, vegetables, or wild rice on base acres. Generic base acres only count when they are planted to a covered commodity. If one covered crop is planted and exceeds the generic base acres, those generic acres go to that crop. If several covered crops are planted and their total exceeds the generic base acres, the generic acres are split pro rata. If planted acres do not exceed generic base acres, the planted acres are simply attributed. Owners had to allocate generic base acres within 90 days after February 9, 2018, with farms that planted no covered commodities in 2009–2016 putting those acres into unassigned base (no payments). Other farms must assign most generic acres to seed cotton (the greater of 80% of generic acres or the average seed cotton acres planted or prevented from 2009–2012, up to the total), with any leftover put to unassigned base; failing to choose means that seed‑cotton allocation is assumed. If fruits, vegetables (except mung beans and pulses), or wild rice are grown on base acres, payment acres are reduced by the amount above 15% of base acres for county coverage or above 35% for individual coverage. No reduction applies if those crops are only cover crops grown for conservation or if local double‑cropping history allows it. The Secretary must keep records of generic acres put into unassigned base and treat acres reduced under these rules as planted or prevented from being planted for future base‑acre adjustments.