The 2008-2009 Federal Governments Advance Payments Program begins April 1st.

The program is designed to help producers with spring seeding costs.

Under the program farmers can receive up to 400 thousand dollars with the first 100 thousand dollars interest free.

The preharvest rates are set at $150 a tonne for wheat, $200 a tonne for durum and $85 a tonne for barley.

Forms are being mailed out to Country elevators today.