Jul 13, 2011

Asparagus checks finally in the mail

USDA will issue approximately $15 million in payments for the Asparagus Revenue Market Loss Assistance Payment (ALAP) Program. Payments to asparagus producers approved for ALAP benefits began July 13.

ALAP payments will partially compensate asparagus producers for revenue losses during the 2004 through 2007 crop years. Half of the $15 million will be disbursed for fresh-market asparagus production, the other half for processed asparagus production, according to USDA.

The payment rate for each marketing category cannot exceed the actual rate of revenue loss. ALAP payments will be capped at $100,000 per producer, per marketing category (fresh and processed), according to USDA.

For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.