§7916 Planting Flexibility

Summary

Farmers may plant any crop on their farm’s base acres, but some crops have limits. If fruits, vegetables (except lentils, mung beans, and dry peas), or wild rice are planted on base acres, they must be destroyed before harvest unless an exception applies. Growing those crops on trees or other perennial plants on base acres is not allowed. Exceptions: the Secretary can allow double-cropping in regions with a history of it. A farm with a history of planting those crops may plant them, but direct payments and counter-cyclical payments will be reduced by an acre for each acre planted. Producers with an established planting history may plant up to their average annual plantings in 1991–1995 or 1998–2001, and payments will be reduced by an acre per acre planted. For 2002 only, excess base acres over contract acreage may be harvested, but 2002 payments are reduced by an acre for each such acre planted.