October 12, 2000

USDA will begin sign-up on Monday for the 2000 oilseeds payment program. A total of $500 million in payments will be made available to producers of the 2000 crops of certain oilseeds, as provided for by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000.

To be eligible, a producer must share in the production of an eligible oilseed that was planted in 2000. The eligible oilseeds are canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, soybeans, and sunflowers.

Payments will generally be based on the higher of the producer's 1997, 1998, or 1999 acreage and yield for each individual oilseed. Only producers who planted an oilseed for the first time in 2000 can use their 2000 acreage and yield for payment purposes.

The following projected payment rates are calculated based on the five-year average price for each oilseed, adjusted to keep spending within the $500 million authorization: canola $0.2526 per hundredweight; crambe $0.2526 per hundredweight; flaxseed $0.1240 per bushel; mustard $0.3222 per hundredweight; rapeseed $0.2742 per hundredweight; safflower $0.3414 per hundredweight; sesame $0.5794 per hundredweight; soybeans $0.1400 per bushel and sunflowers $0.2603 per hundredweight.

Actual payment rates may be more or less than the projected rates and will be determined after sign-up is complete. Producers can sign up for this program or obtain additional information at their local Farm Service Agency office or USDA Service Center.