R-CALF USA Member & Affiliate Alert

From:            Bill Bullard, CEO

Date:              September 18, 2020

 

The following information is from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Are you a livestock producer whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? USDA is implementing Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, or CFAP 2, will provide producers with financial assistance that gives them the ability to absorb some of the increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA will accept CFAP 2 applications from September 21, 2020 through December 11, 2020. Learn more at farmers.gov/cfap.

Eligible Livestock Commodities

Livestock eligible for CFAP 2 includes: beef cattle, hogs and pigs, and lambs and sheep. Additional specialty livestock commodities are also eligible, as described on farmers.gov/cfap/specialty-livestock.

All equine, animals raised for breeding stock, companion or comfort animals, pets, and animals raised for hunting or game purposes are ineligible for CFAP 2.

CFAP 2 payments are available for eligible producers of livestock commodities categorized as price trigger commodities. Specifically, price trigger commodities suffered a five percent-or-greater national price decline in a comparison of the average prices for the week of January 13-17, 2020, and July 27-31, 2020.

CFAP 2 Payments for Livestock

For beef cattle, hogs and pigs, and lambs and sheep, payments will be equal to the highest owned  inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the eligible producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020, multiplied by the CCC payment rate.

For beef cattle, payments will be equal to:

  • The producer’s maximum owned inventory of eligible beef cattle, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020,
  • Multiplied by the number of payment limitations for the producer, multiplied by the payment rate of $55 per head.

For hogs and pigs, payments will be equal to:

  • The producer’s maximum owned inventory of eligible hogs and pigs, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020;
  • Multiplied by the number of payment limitations for the producer, multiplied by the payment rate of $23 per head.

For lambs and sheep, payments will be equal to:

  • The producer’s highest owned inventory of eligible lambs and sheep, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020,
  • Multiplied by the payment rate of $27 per head.

Additional CFAP 2 Information

Farm Service Agency staff at local USDA Service Centers will work with producers to file CFAP 2 applications. Producers interested in one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance at our call center.

Visit farmers.gov/cfap for additional information on Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, other eligible commodities, CFAP 2 eligibility, payment limitations and structure, and how to apply.

We hope this information is helpful.  Thank you for your support!

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R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516 for more information.