United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1993-12-30 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:RCED-94-76 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76 P0b002ee180386d8e f:rc94076 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76 RCED-94-76 Farm subsidies Commodity sales Agricultural policies Agricultural programs Cost control Farm income stabilization programs Agricultural production Commodity marketing Letter Report RCED Congress recently began allowing farmers to plants crops other than their designated program crops on up to 25 percent of their base acres. This flexibility was one of the principal elements of the 1990 farm legislation aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness in the international agricultural market. Another law passed that same year eliminates income support payments on 15 percent of the base acres, even when the designated program crops are planted on that land. Taken together, these provisions establish what are commonly known as flex acres. According to the Agriculture Department (USDA), flex acres and other changes in the law will cut government costs by about $12 billion from 1991 through 1995. In addition, USDA officials say that although farmers dislike losing part of their deficiency payments, they generally like the increased flexibility they gain from flex acres and believe that the overall impact on their operations is positive. The net economic impact of flex acres is inconclusive at this time. But given the generally positive views of farmers and the projected savings to the federal government, GAO sees no reason why flex acres should not be continued or expanded in future farm legislation. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76/html/GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76.htm GAO/RCED-94-76 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-RCED-94-76 Letter Report GAO/RCED-94-76; Commodity Programs: Flex Acres Enhance Farm Operations and Market Orientation; Farm subsidies Commodity sales Agricultural policies Agricultural programs Cost control Farm income stabilization programs Agricultural production Commodity marketing