The Farm Service Agency has set a Sept. 30 deadline for Nebraska farmers to apply for payments that can help production through good and bad economic times.

FSA State Director Milton Rogers said the 2008 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program is a support system for producers that is based on acres and past cropping history. It gives farmers payments even if demand is low.

Farmers with 10 acres or fewer will not be eligible unless they are socially disadvantaged or have limited resources, both of which are determined by the Farm Service Agency.

According to a news release, produce eligible for direct payments are: barley, corn, grain sorghum, oats, soybeans, canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, sunflower and wheat.