Implementation of the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program has raised issues for those who double crop program crop acres. FSA determines double crop combinations by county or region and all producers in the county or region are eligible for double cropping consideration if that combination is followed. Crop insurance may determine a double crop combination by county or region; however, insurance may not be available to a producer if a producer does not have a history of double-cropping.

FSA considers a practice as double-cropping if either of the following applies:

n The producer has crop insurance coverage on the subsequent crop and crop insurance determines it a double-crop practice

n The producer does not have crop insurance coverage on the subsequent crop, but the practice meets the definition of double-cropping in the county.

If the practice is considered double-cropping and the producer:

n Has crop insurance coverage or timely filed for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) coverage on the subsequent crop, the subsequent crop is eligible for SURE benefits

n Does not have crop insurance or NAP on the subsequent crop, then the producer must request equitable relief to be eligible for SURE.

In cases where a producer attempted to obtain crop insurance on a subsequent crop in a double-cropped county or region and was unable to obtain crop insurance, those producers are not required to meet the risk management purchase requirement unless the subsequent crop was eligible for NAP. If the subsequent crop is an approved specific double crop in an approved double crop county the producer must request relief, even if the producer does not have a history of double-cropping. If relief is granted and the producer pays the $250 relief fee, the subsequent crop becomes eligible only for SURE. The subsequent crop is not considered a ghost crop and does not receive crop insurance coverage or NAP coverage.

Additional information is at the Richmond County FSA office or at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/notices?area