The USDA announced the details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Monday.
The announcement gave more details on how the $16 billion in aid from farmers and ranchers would be spent and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said “we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers.”
Payments will be capped at $250,000. Additionally, there is a $900,000 adjusted gross income limit for individuals who do not get more than 75 percent of their income from farming.
Livestock producers eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearling and hogs. Total payments are calculated using the sum of producer’s number of livestock sold between Jan. 15 and April 15, multiplied by the payment rates per head and highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, multiplied by the payment rate per head.
Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. The total payment will be calculated using the sum of the producer’s number of livestock sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020, multiplied by the payment rates per head, and the highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, 2020, multiplied by the payment rate per head.
“America’s cattle producers have been hit very hard economically by this pandemic, so we’re pleased that this relief is one step closer to reaching the producers who need it,” Marty Smith, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said. “Still, this is just one step and much more needs to be done to address the needs facing family cow-calf producers and stockers in the CFAP details that were released today. We will continue to push Capitol Hill for additional resources for cow-calf producers, backgrounders, and all other segments of the industry who may not sufficiently benefit from the program in its current form.”
“With the weight of the global pandemic putting economic pressure on family farmers and ranchers, we welcome the relief provided through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program announced today,” U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President Brooke Miller said in a statement. “Further, we greatly appreciate the President’s comments on the need to stem the influx of imported cattle into this country. Our nation’s strength lies in our ability to produce a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply. We need to preserve this food security by creating opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers to thrive.”
Applications open on May 26. You can find more details on payments and eligibility here.