HEAVY SIGNUP SEEN IN 1987 CORN PROGRAM - USDA
With less than a week remaining to
enroll in the 1987 feedgrains program, Agriculture Department
officials said that final signup will probably exceed last
year's level of 85 pct.
    Enrollment in USDA's basic acreage reduction program will
likely total close to 90 pct, Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service, ASCS, officials said, with 50 to 70 pct
of the enrolling farmers also expected to sign up for the paid
land diversion program.
    The signup period of the 1987 feedgrains program officially
ends at the close of the business day on March 30.
    USDA will release its official signup report around April
15, an official said.
    USDA personnel in the corn belt states of Iowa, Illinois,
and Indiana have been reporting heavy signup activity, an ASCS
official told Reuters.
    A surge of acitivity is expected during this final week of
signup, the official said.
    "A lot of farmers have been dragging their feet because
they were anticipating some changes in the program, but that
doesn't look very likely now," he said.
    To enroll in the 1987 feedgrains program, farmers have to
set aside 20 pct of the program acreage base, and have the
option to idle an additional 15 pct under a paid land diversion
program.
 Reuter
