farmers

Alabama Poultry Producers Receive Relief through CARES Act Funds

Dan Alabama, Coronavirus, Economy, Poultry

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many facets of agriculture, including the poultry industry. In Alabama, commercial poultry production employs more than 86,000 workers industrywide. For this reason, Alabama Extension professionals helped develop and execute a plan to put poultry producers on the map when Alabama CARES Act funds were distributed in the agricultural sector. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension …

weekly livestock market report

Livestock Auction Market Direct Payment Program & Poultry Processor Reimbursement Program Applications Due by December 1, 2020

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Livestock, Poultry

Commissioner Rick Pate is pleased to announce the Livestock Market Direct Payment Program and the Poultry Processor Reimbursement Program. Applications for each program will be available at agi.alabama.gov or crf.alabama.gov at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 and the deadline to submit applications is December 1, 2020.  Each program will assist Alabama’s agriculture with costs associated with disruptions experienced due to COVID-19. Commissioner Pate and agricultural stakeholders …

net farm income

First CFAP Payments Issued by USDA

Josh McGill Industry

The first payments for farmers and ranchers have been issued through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that CFAP payments totaling more than $545 million have been approved by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). A total of $16 billion in financial assistance is being made available through CFAP, which was one of …

bankers

More Time to Repay Marketing Assistance Loans

Dan Economy

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) now mature at 12 months rather than nine. According to a story from Tyron Spearman, this flexibility is available for most commodities. According to USDA, producers of eligible commodities now have up to 12 …

nacd

NACD Requests Additional Support for Conservation Districts in Next Stimulus

Dan Economy, Environment, Industry News Release

(NACD) — The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) sent a letter to Congress requesting additional funding and legislative support for the nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts in the next stimulus bills. “Conservation districts are the backbone of delivering conservation in America,” NACD President Tim Palmer said. “Unfortunately, as with many small businesses, many conservation districts are currently struggling to continue supporting …

budget

Loan Maturity for Marketing Assistance Loans Now Extended to 12 Months

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

Provides Producers with Marketing Flexibilities Amid COVID-19 Uncertainties (USDA) — Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most …

credit

AFBF on CARES Act SBA Loans

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says producers are ineligible for some CARES Act Small Business Association loans, but eligible for others. AFBF Congressional Relations Director, RJ Karney, says they believe farmers can’t participate in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, but do qualify for paycheck assistance.  “As of now, AFBF’s interpretation of the rule is, farmers are eligible to …

farm

Agriculture Must Be Included in Disaster Loan Program

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(AFBF) — Thirty-one agriculture organizations and businesses are calling on the U.S. Small Business Administration to include agricultural businesses in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as intended by Congress in the CARES Act. The notice on the SBA website currently states applicants must certify they are “not an agricultural enterprise (e.g., farm), other than an aquaculture enterprise, agricultural cooperative …

ncba

NCBA Sends Letter to Ag Secretary Perdue Urging Aid for American Cattle Producers

Dan Cattle, Economy, Industry News Release

(NCBA) — Following final passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) sent a letter urging United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to “take immediate action to provide much-needed relief to cattle producers who have been negatively impacted due to the ongoing …