1. U.S. Code
  2. title 7
  3. chapter 35
  4. subchapter II
  5. part A
  6. § 1301

Collapse to view only § 1301. Definitions

§ 1301. Definitions
(a) General definitionsFor the purposes of this subchapter and the declaration of policy—
(1)
(A) The “parity price” for any agricultural commodity, as of any date, shall be determined by multiplying the adjusted base price of such commodity as of such date by the parity index as of such date.
(B) The “adjusted base price” of any agricultural commodity, as of any date, shall be (i) the average of the prices received by farmers for such commodity, at such times as the Secretary may select during each year of the ten-year period ending on the 31st of December last before such date, or during each marketing season beginning in such period if the Secretary determines use of a calendar year basis to be impracticable, divided by (ii) the ratio of the general level of prices received by farmers for agricultural commodities during such period to the general level of prices received by farmers for agricultural commodities during the period January 1910 to December 1914, inclusive. As used in this subparagraph, the term “prices” shall include wartime subsidy payments made to producers under programs designed to maintain maximum prices established under the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942.
(C) The “parity index”, as of any date, shall be the ratio of (i) the general level of prices for articles and services that farmers buy, wages paid hired farm labor, interest on farm indebtedness secured by farm real estate, and taxes on farm real estate, for the calendar month ending last before such date to (ii) the general level of such prices, wages, rates, and taxes during the period January 1910 to December 1914, inclusive.
(D) The prices and indices provided for herein, and the data used in computing them, shall be determined by the Secretary, whose determination shall be final.
(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the transitional parity price for any agricultural commodity, computed as provided in this subparagraph, shall be used as the parity price for such commodity until such date after January 1, 1950, as such transitional parity price may be lower than the parity price, computed as provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for such commodity. The transitional parity price for any agricultural commodity as of any date shall be—
(i) its parity price determined in the manner used prior to the effective date of the Agricultural Act of 1948, less
(ii) 5 per centum of the parity price so determined multiplied by the number of full calendar years (not counting 1956 in the case of basic agricultural commodities) which, as of such date, have elapsed after January 1, 1949, in the case of non-basic agricultural commodities, and after January 1, 1955, in the case of the basic agricultural commodities.
(F) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph, if the parity price for any agricultural commodity, computed as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph, appears to be seriously out of line with the parity prices of other agricultural commodities, the Secretary may, and upon the request of a substantial number of interested producers shall, hold public hearings to determine the proper relationship between the parity price of such commodity and the parity prices of other agricultural commodities. Within sixty days after commencing such hearing the Secretary shall complete such hearing, proclaim his findings as to whether the facts require a revision of the method of computing the parity price of such commodity, and put into effect any revision so found to be required.
(G) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the parity price for any basic agricultural commodity, as of any date during the six-year period beginning January 1, 1950, shall not be less than its parity price computed in the manner used prior to October 31, 1949.
(2) “Parity”, as applied to income, shall be that gross income from agriculture which will provide the farm operator and his family with a standard of living equivalent to those afforded persons dependent upon other gainful occupation. “Parity” as applied to income from any agricultural commodity for any year, shall be that gross income which bears the same relationship to parity income from agriculture for such year as the average gross income from such commodity for the preceding ten calendar years bears to the average gross income from agriculture for such ten calendar years.
(3) The term “interstate and foreign commerce” means sale, marketing, trade, and traffic between any State or Territory or the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, and any place outside thereof; or between points within the same State or Territory or within the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, through any place outside thereof; or within any Territory or within the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
(4) The term “affect interstate and foreign commerce” means, among other things, in such commerce, or to burden or obstruct such commerce or the free and orderly flow thereof; or to create or tend to create a surplus of any agricultural commodity which burdens or obstructs such commerce or the free and orderly flow thereof.
(5) The term “United States” means the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
(6) The term “State” includes a Territory and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
(7) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, and the term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.
(8) The term “person” means an individual, partnership, firm, joint-stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or any agency of a State.
(9) The term “corn” means field corn.
(b) Definitions applicable to one or more commoditiesFor the purposes of this subchapter—
(1)
(A) “Actual production” as applied to any acreage of corn means the number of bushels of corn which the local committee determines would be harvested as grain from such acreage if all the corn on such acreage were so harvested. In case of a disagreement between the farmer and the local committee as to the actual production of the acreage of corn on the farm, or in case the local committee determines that such actual production is substantially below normal, the local committee, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, shall weigh representative samples of ear corn taken from the acreage involved, make proper deductions for moisture span, and determine the actual production of such acreage on the basis of such samples.
(B) “Actual production” of any number of acres of cotton, rice or peanuts on a farm means the actual average yield for the farm times such number of acres.
(2) “Bushel” means in the case of ear corn that amount of ear corn, including not to exceed 15½ per centum of moisture span, which weighs seventy pounds, and in the case of shelled corn, means that amount of shelled corn including not to exceed 15½ per centum of moisture span, which weighs fifty-six pounds.
(3)
(A) “Carry-over”, in the case of corn, rice, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be the quantity of the commodity on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any quantity which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current.
(B) “Carry-over” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the quantity of cotton on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any part of the crop which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current.
(C) “Carry-over” of wheat, for any marketing year shall be the quantity of wheat on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any wheat which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current, and not including any wheat held by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation under the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.].
(4)
(A) “Commercial corn-producing area” shall include all counties in which the average production of corn (excluding corn used as silage) during the ten calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year for which such area is determined, after adjustment for abnormal weather conditions, is four hundred and fifty bushels or more per farm and four bushels or more for each acre of farm land in the county.
(B) Whenever prior to February 1 of any calendar year the Secretary has reason to believe that any county which is not included in the commercial corn-producing area determined pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subsection, but which borders upon one of the counties in such area, or that any minor civil division in a county bordering on such area, is producing (excluding corn used for silage) an average of at least four hundred and fifty bushels of corn per farm and an average of at least four bushels for each acre of farm land in the county or in the minor civil division, as the case may be, he shall cause immediate investigation to be made to determine such fact. If, upon the basis of such investigation, the Secretary finds that such county or minor civil division is likely to produce corn in such average amounts during such calendar year, he shall proclaim such determination and, commencing with such calendar year, such county shall be included in the commercial corn-producing area. In the case of a county included in the commercial corn-producing area pursuant to this subparagraph, whenever prior to February 1 of any calendar year the Secretary has reason to believe that facts justifying the inclusion of such county are not likely to exist in such calendar year, he shall cause an immediate investigation to be made with respect thereto. If, upon the basis of such investigation, the Secretary finds that such facts are not likely to exist in such calendar year, he shall proclaim such determination, and commencing with such calendar year, such county shall be excluded from the commercial corn-producing area.
(5) “Farm consumption” of corn means consumption by the farmer’s family, employees, or household, or by his work stock; or consumption by poultry or livestock on his farm if such poultry or livestock, or the products thereof, are consumed or to be consumed by the farmer’s family, employees, or household.
(6)
(A) “Market”, in the case of corn, cotton, rice, and wheat, means to dispose of, in raw or processed form, by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter, or exchange, or by gift inter vivos, and, in the case of corn and wheat, by feeding (in any form) to poultry or livestock which, or the products of which, are sold, bartered, or exchanged, or to be so disposed of, but does not include disposing of any such commodities as premium to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation under the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.].
(B) “Marketed”, “marketing”, and “for market” shall have corresponding meanings to the term “market” in the connection in which they are used.
(C) “Market”, in the case of peanuts, means to dispose of peanuts, including farmers’ stock peanuts, shelled peanuts, cleaned peanuts, or peanuts in processed form, by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter, or exchange, or by gift inter vivos.
(7) “Marketing year” means, in the case of the following commodities, the period beginning on the first and ending with the second date specified below:

Corn, September 1–August 31;

Cotton, August 1–July 31;

Rice, August 1–July 31;

Tobacco (flue-cured), July 1–June 30;

Tobacco (other than flue-cured), October 1–September 30;

Wheat, June 1–May 31.

(8)
(A) “National average yield” as applied to cotton or wheat shall be the national average yield per acre of the commodity during the ten calendar years in the case of wheat, and during the five calendar years in the case of cotton, preceding the year in which such national average yield is used in any computation authorized in this subchapter, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and, in the case of wheat, but not in the case of cotton, for trends in yields.
(B) “Projected national yield” as applied to any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the national yield per harvested acre of the commodity during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected national yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices.
(9) “Normal production” as applied to any number of acres of corn or rice means the normal yield for the farm times such number of acres. “Normal production” as applied to any number of acres of cotton or wheat means the projected farm yield times such number of acres.
(10)
(A) “Normal supply” in the case of corn, rice, wheat, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be (i) the estimated domestic consumption of the commodity for the marketing year ending immediately prior to the marketing year for which normal supply is being determined, plus (ii) the estimated exports of the commodity for the marketing year for which normal supply is being determined, plus (iii) an allowance for carry-over. The allowance for carry-over shall be the following percentage of the sum of the consumption and exports used in computing normal supply: 15 per centum in the case of corn; 10 per centum in the case of rice; 20 per centum in the case of wheat; and 15 per centum in the case of peanuts. In determining normal supply the Secretary shall make such adjustments for current trends in consumption and for unusual conditions as he may deem necessary.
(B) The “normal supply” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the estimated domestic consumption of cotton for the marketing year for which such normal supply is being determined, plus the estimated exports of cotton for such marketing year, plus, 30 per centum of the sum of such consumption and exports as an allowance for carry-over.
(11)
(A) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of corn and wheat, shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity, wherever produced, that was cosumed 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “consumed”.
in the United States during the ten marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(B) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of cotton, shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity produced in the United States that was consumed in the United States during the ten marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(C) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of rice, shall be the yearly average quantity of rice produced in the United States that was consumed in the United States during the five marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(12) “Normal year’s exports” in the case of corn, cotton, rice, and wheat shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity produced in the United States that was exported from the United States during the ten marketing years (or, in the case of rice, the five marketing years) immediately preceding the marketing year in which such exports are determined, adjusted for current trends in such exports.
(13)
(A) Repealed. Pub. L. 87–703, title III, § 320(1), Sept. 27, 1962, 76 Stat. 625.
(B) “Normal yield” for any county, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of peanuts for the county, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions, during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. For 1942, the normal yield for any county, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre for peanuts for the county, adjusted for abnormal conditions, during the years 1936–1940, inclusive, except that for any county in which the years 1935–1939, inclusive, are equally as representative, such period may be used in determining the normal yields for counties in the State.
(C) In applying subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph, if for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, shall be used as the actual yield for such year. In applying such subparagraphs, if, on account of drought, flood, insect pests, plant disease, or other uncontrollable natural cause, the yield in any year of such ten-year period or five-year period, as the case may be, is less than 75 per centum of the average (computed without regard to such year) such year shall be eliminated in calculating the normal yield per acre.
(D) “Normal yield” for any county, in the case of rice and wheat, shall be the average yield per acre of rice or wheat, as the case may be, for the county during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year for which such normal yield is determined in the case of rice, or during the five years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined in the case of wheat, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and for trends in yields. If for any such year data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, taking into consideration the yields obtained in surrounding counties during such year and the yield in years for which data are available, shall be used as the actual yield for such year.
(E) “Normal yield” for any farm, in the case of rice and wheat, shall be the average yield per acre of rice or wheat, as the case may be, for the farm during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year for which such normal yield is determined in the case of rice, or during the five years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined in the case of wheat, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and for trends in yields. If for any such year the data are not available or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, trends in yields, the normal yield for the county, the yields obtained on adjacent farms during such year and the yield in years for which data are available.
(F) In applying subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this paragraph, if on account of drought, flood, insect pests, plant disease, or other uncontrollable natural cause, the yield for any year of such five-year period is less than 75 per centum of the average, 75 per centum of such average shall be substituted therefor in calculating the normal yield per acre. If, on account of abnormally favorable weather conditions, the yield for any year of such five-year period is in excess of 125 per centum of the average, 125 per centum of such average shall be substituted therefor in calculating the normal yield per acre.
(G) “Normal yield” for any farm, in the case of corn or peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of corn or peanuts, as the case may be, for the farm, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions, during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. For 1942, the normal yield for any farm, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of peanuts for the farm, adjusted for abnormal conditions, during the years 1936–1940, inclusive, except that for any county in which the years 1935–1939, inclusive, are equally as representative, such period may be used in determining normal yields for farms in the county. If for any such year the data are not available or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, the normal yield for the county, and the yield in years for which data are available.
(H) “Normal yield” for any county, for any crop of cotton, shall be the average yield per acre of cotton for the county, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and any significant changes in production practices during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the national marketing quota for such crop is proclaimed. If for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, shall be used as the actual yield for such year.
(I) “Normal yield” for any farm, for any crop of cotton, shall be the average yield per acre of cotton for the farm, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and any significant changes in production practices during the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. If for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, the normal yield for the county, changes in production practices, and the yield in years for which data are available.
(J) “Projected county yield” for any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such commodity in the county during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected county yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices.
(K) “Projected farm yield” for any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such commodity on the farm during each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected farm yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices, but in no event shall such projected farm yield be less than the normal yield for such farm as provided in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph.
(L) “Projected national, State, and county yields” for any crop of cotton shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such crop in the United States, the State and the county, respectively, during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected yield for the United States, the State, and the county, respectively, is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields, and for any significant changes in production practices.
(M) “Projected farm yield” for any crop of cotton shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such crop on the farm during each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected farm yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields, and for any significant changes in production practices, but in no event shall such projected farm yield be less than the normal yield for such farm as provided in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph.
(14) “Reserve supply level”, in the case of corn, shall be a normal year’s domestic consumption and exports of corn plus 10 per centum of a normal year’s domestic consumption and exports, to insure a supply adequate to meet domestic consumption and export needs in years of drought, flood, or other adverse conditions, as well as in years of plenty.
(15)
(A) “Total supply” of wheat, corn, rice, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be the carry-over of the commodity for such marketing year, plus the estimated production of the commodity in the United States during the calendar year in which such marketing year begins and the estimated imports of the commodity into the United States during such marketing year.
(B) “Total supply” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the carry-over at the beginning of such marketing year, plus the estimated production of cotton in the United States during the calendar year in which such marketing year begins and the estimated imports of cotton into the United States during such marketing year.
(c) Use of Federal statistics
(d) Exclusion of stocks of certain commodities
(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 301, 52 Stat. 38; Apr. 7, 1938, ch. 107, §§ 2–4, 52 Stat. 202; June 13, 1940, ch. 360, § 1, 54 Stat. 392; July 2, 1940, ch. 521, §§ 3–5, 54 Stat. 727, 728; Nov. 22, 1940, ch. 914, §§ 1, 3, 4, 54 Stat. 1209, 1210; Nov. 25, 1940, ch. 917, 54 Stat. 1211; Apr. 3, 1941, ch. 39, §§ 2, 3, 55 Stat. 91, 92; July 9, 1942, ch. 497, § 1(4), (5), 56 Stat. 654; July 3, 1948, ch. 827, title II, § 201(a), (b), (d), (e), 62 Stat. 1250; Aug. 29, 1949, ch. 518, § 2(a), 63 Stat. 675; Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, title IV, §§ 409(a)–(d), 415(c)–(e), 418(b), (c), 63 Stat. 1056–1058, 1062; July 8, 1952, ch. 587, 66 Stat. 442; July 17, 1952, ch. 933, § 1, 66 Stat. 758; July 14, 1953, ch. 194, § 6, 67 Stat. 152; Aug. 28, 1954, ch. 1041, title III, §§ 301, 302, 68 Stat. 902; May 28, 1956, ch. 327, title V, § 502, title VI, § 602, 70 Stat. 212, 213; Pub. L. 85–92, § 1, July 10, 1957, 71 Stat. 284; Pub. L. 87–703, title III, § 320, Sept. 27, 1962, 76 Stat. 625; Pub. L. 88–297, title I, § 106(5)–(7), Apr. 11, 1964, 78 Stat. 177; Pub. L. 89–321, title IV, § 403, title V, §§ 509, 511(a), Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1197, 1204, 1205;

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301

§ 1301a. References to parity prices, etc., in other laws after January 1, 1950
All references in other laws to—
(1) parity,
(2) parity prices,
(3) prices comparable to parity prices, or
(4) prices to be determined in the same manner as provided by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 [7 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.] prior to its amendment by this Act for the determination of parity prices,
with respect to prices for agricultural commodities and products thereof, shall hereafter be deemed to refer to parity prices as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 301(a)(1) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 [7 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)], as amended by this Act.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 827, title III, § 302(f), 62 Stat. 1258.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301a

§ 1301b. Repealed. Pub. L. 85–835, title I, § 108, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 993

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301b

§ 1302. Repealed. Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, title IV, § 414, 63 Stat. 1057

CITE AS: 7 USC 1302

§ 1303. Parity payments

If and when appropriations are made therefor, the Secretary is authorized and directed to make payments to producers of corn, wheat, cotton, or rice, on their normal production of such commodities in amounts which, together with the proceeds thereof, will provide a return to such producers which is as nearly equal to parity price as the funds so made available will permit. All funds available for such payments with respect to these commodities shall unless otherwise provided by law, be apportioned to these commodities in proportion to the amount by which each fails to reach the parity income. Such payments shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other payments authorized by law.

(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 303, 52 Stat. 45; Pub. L. 108–357, title VI, § 611(g), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1522.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1303

§ 1304. Consumer safeguards

The powers conferred under this chapter shall not be used to discourage the production of supplies of foods and fibers sufficient to maintain normal domestic human consumption as determined by the Secretary from the records of domestic human consumption in the years 1920 to 1929, inclusive, taking into consideration increased population quantities of any commodity that were forced into domestic consumption by decline in exports during such period, current trends in domestic consumption and exports of particular commodities, and the quantities of substitutes available for domestic consumption within any general class of food commodities. In carrying out the purposes of this chapter it shall be the duty of the Secretary to give due regard to the maintenance of a continuous and stable supply of agricultural commodities from domestic production adequate to meet consumer demand at prices fair to both producers and consumers.

(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 304, 52 Stat. 45.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1304

§ 1305. Transfer of acreage allotments or feed grain bases on public lands upon request of State agencies

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, upon the request of any agency of any State charged with the administration of the public lands of the State, may permit the transfer of acreage allotments or feed grain bases together with relevant production histories which have been determined pursuant to the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.], or section 590p of title 16, from any farm composed of public lands to any other farm or farms in the same county composed of public lands: Provided, That as a condition for the transfer of any allotment or base an acreage equal to or greater than the allotment or base transferred prior to adjustment, if any, shall be devoted to and maintained in permanent vegetative cover on the farm from which the transfer is made. The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which he deems necessary for the administration of this section, which may provide for adjusting downward the size of the allotment or base transferred if the farm to which the allotment or base is transferred normally has a higher yield per acre for the commodity for which the allotment or base is determined, for reasonable limitations on the size of the resulting allotments and bases on farms to which transfers are made, taking into account the size of the allotments and bases on farms of similar size in the community, and for retransferring allotments or bases and relevant histories if the conditions of the transfers are not fulfilled.

(Pub. L. 89–321, title VII, § 706, Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1210; Pub. L. 91–524, title IV, § 405(a), formerly § 405, title VI, § 606, Nov. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1366, 1378, renumbered § 405(a) and amended Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(12)(a), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 229.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1305

§ 1306. Projected yields; determination; base period

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the determination of farm yields the Secretary may use projected yields in lieu of normal yields. In the determination of such yields the Secretary shall take into account the actual yield proved by the producer for the base period used in determining the projected yield, and the projected yield shall not be less than such actual yield proved by the producer.

(Pub. L. 89–321, title VII, § 708, Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1211; Pub. L. 91–524, title IV, § 405(b), as added Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(12)(a), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 229.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1306

§ 1307. Limitation on payments under wheat, feed grains, and cotton programs for 1974 through 1977 crops
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1) The total amount of payments which a person shall be entitled to receive under one or more of the annual programs established by titles IV, V, and VI of this Act for the 1974 through 1976 crops of the commodities and by titles IV and V of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 and titles IV, V, and VI of this Act for the 1977 crop of the commodities shall not exceed $20,000.
(2) The term “payments” as used in this section shall not include loans or purchases, or any part of any payment which is determined by the Secretary to represent compensation for resource adjustment or public access for recreation.
(3) If the Secretary determines that the total amount of payments which will be earned by any person under the program in effect for any crop will be reduced under this section, the set-aside acreage for the farm or farms on which such person will be sharing in payments earned under such program shall be reduced to such extent and in such manner as the Secretary determines will be fair and reasonable in relation to the amount of the payment reduction.
(4) The Secretary shall issue regulations defining the term “person” and prescribing such rules as he determines necessary to assure a fair and reasonable application of such limitation: Provided, That the provisions of this Act which limit payments to any person shall not be applicable to lands owned by States, political subdivisions, or agencies thereof, so long as such lands are farmed primarily in the direct furtherance of a public function, as determined by the Secretary. The rules for determining whether corporations and their stockholders may be considered as separate persons shall be in accordance with the regulations issued by the Secretary on December 18, 1970.
(Pub. L. 91–524, title I, § 101, Nov. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1358; Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(1), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 95–113, title I, § 104, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 919.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1307

§ 1308. Payment limitations
(a) Definitions
In this section through section 1308–5 of this title:
(1) Covered commodity
(2) Family member
(3) Legal entity
The term “legal entity” means an entity that is created under Federal or State law and that—
(A) owns land or an agricultural commodity; or
(B) produces an agricultural commodity.
(4) Person
(5) Secretary
(b) Limitation on payments for covered commodities (other than peanuts)
(c) Limitation on payments for peanuts
(d) Limitation on applicability
(e) Attribution of payments
(1) In general
(2) Payments to a person
(3) Payments to a legal entity
(A) In general
(B) Attribution of payments
(i) Payment limits
(ii) Exception for joint ventures and general partnerships
(iii) Reduction
(4) 4 levels of attribution for embedded legal entities
(A) In general
(B) First level
(C) Second level
(i) In general
(ii) Ownership by a person
(D) Third and fourth levels
(i) In general
(ii) Fourth-tier ownership
(f) Special rules
(1) Minor children
(A) In general
(B) Regulations
(2) Marketing cooperatives
(3) Trusts and estates
(A) In general
(B) Irrevocable trust
(i) In general
In order for a trust to be considered an irrevocable trust, the terms of the trust agreement shall not—
(I) allow for modification or termination of the trust by the grantor;(II) allow for the grantor to have any future, contingent, or remainder interest in the corpus of the trust; or(III) except as provided in clause (ii), provide for the transfer of the corpus of the trust to the remainder beneficiary in less than 20 years beginning on the date the trust is established.
(ii) Exception
Clause (i)(III) shall not apply in a case in which the transfer is—
(I) contingent on the remainder beneficiary achieving at least the age of majority; or(II) contingent on the death of the grantor or income beneficiary.
(C) Revocable trust
(4) Cash rent tenants
(A) Definition
In this paragraph, the term “cash rent tenant” means a person or legal entity that rents land—
(i) for cash; or
(ii) for a crop share guaranteed as to the amount of the commodity to be paid in rent.
(B) Restriction
(5) Federal agencies
(A) In general
(B) Land rental
(6) State and local governments
(A) In general
(B) Tenants
(7) Changes in farming operations
(A) In general
(B) Family members
(8) Death of owner
(A) In general
(B) Limitations on prior owner
(9) Administration of reduction
(g) Public schools
(1) In general
(2) Limitation
(A) In general
(B) Exception
(h) Time limits; reliance
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1444; Pub. L. 99–500, § 108(a), Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–346, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 108(a), Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–346; Pub. L. 100–71, title I, July 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 428; Pub. L. 100–203, title I, §§ 1301(a)(1), (2), 1303, 1305(c), 1307, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–12, 1330–16, 1330–18, 1330–19; Pub. L. 101–217, §§ 1, 2, Dec. 11, 1989, 103 Stat. 1857; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(a), (c), (e), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3497–3499; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, § 118(b), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1841; Pub. L. 103–66, title I, § 1101(b)(3)(A), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 902; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(a), (b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 213, 214; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(a), (b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(a), (b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1730; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, §§ 1603(a)–(b)(2), 1605(f), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 705, 706, 708; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1703(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4525.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308

§ 1308–1. Notification of interests; payments limited to active farmers
(a) Notification of interestsTo facilitate administration of section 1308 of this title and this section, each person or legal entity receiving payments described in subsections (b) and (c) of section 1308 of this title as a separate person or legal entity shall separately provide to the Secretary, at such times and in such manner as prescribed by the Secretary—
(1) the name and social security number of each person, or the name and taxpayer identification number of each legal entity, that holds or acquires an ownership interest in the separate person or legal entity; and
(2) the name and taxpayer identification number of each legal entity in which the person or legal entity holds an ownership interest.
(b) Actively engaged
(1) In general
(2) Classes actively engagedExcept as provided in subsections (c) and (d)—
(A) a person (including a person participating in a farming operation as a partner in a general partnership, a participant in a joint venture, a grantor of a revocable trust, or a participant in a similar entity, as determined by the Secretary) shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation if—
(i) the person makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation) to the farming operation of—(I) capital, equipment, or land; and(II) personal labor or active personal management;
(ii) the person’s share of the profits or losses from the farming operation is commensurate with the contributions of the person to the farming operation; and
(iii) the contributions of the person are at risk;
(B) a legal entity that is a corporation, joint stock company, association, limited partnership, charitable organization, or other similar entity determined by the Secretary (including any such legal entity participating in the farming operation as a partner in a general partnership, a participant in a joint venture, a grantor of a revocable trust, or as a participant in a similar legal entity as determined by the Secretary) shall be considered as actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation if—
(i) the legal entity separately makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation) of capital, equipment, or land;
(ii) the stockholders or members collectively make a significant contribution of personal labor or active personal management to the operation; and
(iii) the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applied to the legal entity, are met by the legal entity;
(C) if a legal entity that is a general partnership, joint venture, or similar entity, as determined by the Secretary, separately makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation involved) of capital, equipment, or land, and the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applied to the legal entity, are met by the legal entity, the partners or members making a significant contribution of personal labor or active personal management shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation involved; and
(D) in making determinations under this subsection regarding equipment and personal labor, the Secretary shall take into consideration the equipment and personal labor normally and customarily provided by farm operators in the area involved to produce program crops.
(c) Special classes actively engaged
(1) LandownerA person or legal entity that is a landowner contributing the owned land to a farming operation shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if—
(A) the landowner receives rent or income for the use of the land based on the production on the land or the operating results of the operation; and
(B) the person or legal entity meets the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A).
(2) Adult family memberIf a majority of the participants in a farming operation are family members, an adult family member shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if the person—
(A) makes a significant contribution, based on the total value of the farming operation, of active personal management or personal labor; and
(B) with respect to such contribution, meets the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A).
(3) Sharecropper
(4) Growers of hybrid seed
(5) Custom farming services
(A) In general
(B) Prohibition
(6) Spouse
(d) Classes not actively engaged
(1) Cash rent landlord
(2) Other persons and legal entities
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001A, as added and amended Pub. L. 100–203, title I, §§ 1301(a)(3), 1302, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–12, 1330–14; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(d), (f), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3498, 3499; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, § 118(c), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1841; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(c)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(c), (d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1007, 1008; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(c), (d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1735, 1736.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-1

§ 1308–2. Denial of program benefits
(a) 2-year denial of program benefits
A person or legal entity shall be ineligible to receive payments specified in subsections (b) and (c) of section 1308 of this title for the crop year, and the succeeding crop year, in which the Secretary determines that the person or legal entity—
(1) failed to comply with section 1308–1(b) of this title and adopted or participated in adopting a scheme or device to evade the application of section 1308, 1308–1, or 1308–3 of this title; or
(2) intentionally concealed the interest of the person or legal entity in any farm or legal entity engaged in farming.
(b) Extended ineligibility
(c) Pro rata denial
(1) In general
(2) Cash rent tenant
(d) Joint and several liability
(e) Release
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001B, as added Pub. L. 100–203, title I, § 1304(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–17; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(e), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1010; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(e), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1738.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-2

§ 1308–3. Foreign persons made ineligible for program benefits
Notwithstanding any other provision of law:
(a) In general
(b) Corporations or other entities
(c) Prospective application
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001C, as added Pub. L. 100–203, title I, § 1306, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–19; amended Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3498; Pub. L. 103–66, title I, § 1101(b)(3)(B), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(c)(2), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(3), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1730; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1603(b)(3), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 706.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-3

§ 1308–3a. Adjusted gross income limitation
(a) Definitions
(1) Average adjusted gross income
(2) Special rules for certain persons and legal entities
(3) Allocation of income
On the request of any person filing a joint tax return, the Secretary shall provide for the allocation of average adjusted gross income among the persons filing the return if—
(A) the person provides a certified statement by a certified public accountant or attorney that specifies the method by which the average adjusted gross income would have been declared and reported had the persons filed 2 separate returns; and
(B) the Secretary determines that the method described in the statement is consistent with the information supporting the filed joint tax return.
(b) Limitations on commodity and conservation programs
(1) Limitation
(2) Covered benefits
Paragraph (1) applies with respect to the following:
(A) A payment or benefit under subtitle A or E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq., 9081].
(B) A marketing loan gain or loan deficiency payment under subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9031 et seq.].
(C) Starting with fiscal year 2015, a payment or benefit under title II of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014, title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, or title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].
(D) A payment or benefit under section 1524(b) of this title.
(E) A payment or benefit under section 7333 of this title.
(3) Waiver
(c) Enforcement
(1) In general
To comply with subsection (b), at least once every 3 years a person or legal entity shall provide to the Secretary—
(A) a certification by a certified public accountant or another third party that is acceptable to the Secretary that the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity does not exceed the applicable limitation specified in that subsection; or
(B) information and documentation regarding the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity through other procedures established by the Secretary.
(2) Denial of program benefits
(3) Audit
(d) Commensurate reduction
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001D, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1604(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1604(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1740; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1605(a)–(e), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 707, 708; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1704(a), (b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4526.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-3a

§ 1308–4. Education program
(a) In general
(b) Training
(c) Administration
(d) Commodity Credit Corporation
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001E, formerly § 1001D, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(g), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3499; renumbered § 1001E, Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-4

§ 1308–5. Treatment of multiyear program contract payments
(a) In general
(b) Limitation
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001F, formerly § 1001E, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(h), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3499; renumbered § 1001F, Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-5

§ 1308a. Cost reduction options
(a) Authority of Secretary to take action
(b) Reservation of Secretary’s right to reopen or change contracts if producer agrees
(c) Purchase from other sources of commodities covered by nonrecourse loans
(d) Reduction in settlement price of nonrecourse loans
(1) receipt by the Federal Government of a portion rather than none of the accumulated interest;
(2) avoidance of default; or
(3) elimination of storage, handling, and carrying charges on the forfeited commodity.
(e) Reopening of production control or loan programs to allow for payment in kind
(f) Other authorities of Secretary not affected
(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1009, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1453; Pub. L. 101–134, § 3, Oct. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(g)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1011; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(g)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1739.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308a

§ 1309. Normally planted acreage and target prices
(a) Authorized planted acreage for 1982 through 1995 crops of wheat and feed grains as prerequisite for loan, etc.; eligibility; determinations; records
(b) Established price payments
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1) Whenever the Secretary, for one or more of the 1982 through 1995 crops of wheat and feed grains, requires that producers not exceed the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may increase the established price payments for any such commodity by such amount (or if there are no such payments in effect for such crop by providing for payments in such amount) as the Secretary determines appropriate to compensate producers for not exceeding the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary and participation in any required set-aside with respect to such commodity.
(2) In determining the amount of any payments for any commodity under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account changes in the costs of production resulting from not exceeding the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary and participation in any required set-aside with respect to such commodity.
(3) If payments are provided for any commodity under this subsection, the Secretary may provide for payments for any other commodity in such amount as the Secretary determines necessary for effective operation of the program.
(4) The Secretary shall adjust any payments under this subsection to reflect, in whole or in part, any land diversion payments for the commodity for which an increase is determined.
(c) Marketing quotas in effect for 1987 through 1995 crops of wheat; reduction in normally planted acreage as condition prerequisite for loan, etc.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever marketing quotas are in effect for any of the 1987 through 1995 crops of wheat, the Secretary of Agriculture may require, as a condition of eligibility for loans, purchases, and payments on any commodity under the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), that the acreage normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary, adjusted as considered necessary by the Secretary to be fair and equitable among producers, shall be reduced by a quantity equal to—
(1) the acreage that the Secretary determines would normally be planted to wheat on a farm; minus
(2) the individual farm program acreage for the farm under section 107B(d)(3)(A) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of such Act.
(Pub. L. 95–113, title X, § 1001, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 950; Pub. L. 95–279, title I, § 101, May 15, 1978, 92 Stat. 240; Pub. L. 95–334, title V, § 501(a), Aug. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 96–213, § 6, Mar. 18, 1980, 94 Stat. 120; Pub. L. 97–98, title XI, § 1106, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1265; Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1014, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1141, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3515.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1309

§ 1310. American agriculture protection program
(a) Determination of short supply; suspension of commercial export sales; parity price
(b) Duration of loan level
(c) “Commodity” defined
(Pub. L. 95–113, title X, § 1002, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 950.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1310

§ 1310a. Normal supply of commodity for 1986 through 1995 crops

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the supply of wheat, corn, upland cotton, or rice for the marketing year for any of the 1986 through 1995 crops of such commodity is not likely to be excessive and that program measures to reduce or control the planted acreage of the crop are not necessary, such a decision shall constitute a determination that the total supply of the commodity does not exceed the normal supply and no determination to the contrary shall be made by the Secretary with respect to such commodity for such marketing year.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1019, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1142, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3515.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1310a