So far so good would summarize the status reports generated by area farmers when asked how things are going.

For the most part favorable weather has planting progress ahead of normal. Applications of lime, fertilizer, manure, herbicides and other items can be completed without delay. This is quite a change from May 2003 or May 2004 when it seemed to rain all the time.

Although some producers are reporting dry soil conditions and wanting rain, most seem to be focused on timely planting.

May seems to be one of the busiest months on most farms. In some cases, haylage harvest will begin this week. With that being the case, it seems some producers may overlook the June 1 deadline for enrollment into the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program. After June 1 there will be a $100 fee per contract to enroll. All farms with crop acreage base are eligible for enrollment.

When you sign the CCC-509, you are agreeing to:

- Comply with highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation provisions on all your land

- Devote acreage equal to the base acreage to an agricultural or conserving use

- Effectively control noxious weeds and otherwise maintain base acres according to sound agricultural practices

- Not plant perennial fruits and vegetables or harvest annual FAVs on base acres

- File acreage reports with respect to all cropland on the farm

- Notify the county office staff when there is a transfer of or change of interest of a producer.

Remember, under DCP you must designate shares and sign a new DCP contract each year.

In a simpler time, when a producer visited the county office to sign a form, there was no question about how to sign. The producer simply signed his or her name on the dotted line.In today's world of "entities" - trusts, limited liability companies, cooperatives, partnerships and corporations - signing Farm Service Agency and Commodity Credit Corporation forms isn't so simple any more.First, you have to have a document on file with the county office that says you are authorized to sign for the entity. It could be a copy of the articles of partnership or articles of corporation or a valid power of attorney.Second, you have to know how you are supposed to sign. In almost all instances, when you are signing for an entity, your signature has to include "by" or "for" indicating you are signing in a representative capacity.For example, say you have a partnership, the John R. Smith & Sons Partnership, and you are authorized to sign for the partnership. Acceptable signatures include: "by George C. Smith," "by George C. Smith, Partner" and "John R. Smith & Sons Partnership, by George C. Smith, Partner."Remember, if you've established an entity for your operation, you can no longer sign forms and contracts as yourself. When you have signing authority for an entity, you have to sign forms on behalf of the entity, not yourself.If you have questions about the proper way to sign forms and contracts for your entity, contact the county office staff. We can review the records and help determine the acceptable signature for your situation.In some cases producers will need to update signature delegations.