STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Row crop producers who reported financial loss in 2024 may be eligible for economic assistance through a U.S. Department of Agriculture resource.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency has made $10 billion available through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, or ECAP, for growers to offset increased input costs and lower prices for their commodities.

Payments are calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by eligible reported acres. Commodities grown in Mississippi that are eligible for assistance at per-acre payment rates are soybeans, $29.76; wheat, $30.69; corn, $42,91; sorghum, $42.52; oats, $77.66; upland cotton and extra-long staple cotton, $84.74; long and medium grain rice, $76.94; peanuts, $75.51; and sunflowers, $27.73.

There is an Aug. 15 deadline for producers who have not submitted 2024 crop year acreage reports and reports for acres that were prevented from being planted.

ECAP payments will reimburse up to 85% of potential loss. For acres reported as unable to be planted, payments will be limited to 50% of reported acres.

More information on how to apply and which forms are required is available online at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs.