Government Payments Forecast To Remain Steady in 2013

Government payments paid directly to producers are expected to total $10.9 billion in 2013 under current law, as applied by USDA’s program agencies (see table on government payments ). This payment level is largely unchanged from 2012. Direct payments under the 2013-crop Direct and Countercyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program (ACRE) are forecast at $4.94 billion for 2013. Strong crop prices in 2013 are expected to result in only about $15 million in price-based commodity program payments. These payments reflect final 2011-crop ACRE payments for rice and 2012-crop ACRE payments for other commodities.