The USDA recently announced more details on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) aid payments. In total, $19 billion is included in the aid package, $16 billion in direct payments to producers and $3 billion in commodity food purchases. Payment details are a bit complicated depending upon whether producers sold their commodities during the time period from January 15 to April 15, 2020.

Several resources are available to help livestock producers better understand the CFAP eligibility requirements and how to apply. These include a web page and factsheet explaining the assistance to livestock producers available in the program. These can be accessed at https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock.

In addition, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics’ Farm and Ranch Management team is presenting a webinar in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) focusing on CFAP in Nebraska and what you need to know about it. This webinar will take place at noon Central Daylight Time (11:00 am Mountain) on Thursday, June 4. To register for the webinar, go to the URL: https://farm.unl.edu/webinar-series-covid-19s-impact-nebraska-ag.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff at local USDA Service Centers will work with producers to file applications. Applications for CFAP will be accepted from May 26 to August 28, 2020.

Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, hogs, and sheep. Livestock sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020 may be eligible for payment with proper documentation of sales. Payment rates for cattle range from $92 per head for mature cattle sold for slaughter up to $214 per head for fed cattle. In addition, cattle in inventory between April 16 and May 14, 2020 may be eligible for payments of $33 per head.

Producers interested in applying for CFAP payments are encouraged to register for the June 4 webinar and visit http://farm.unl.edu for further updates and information on the program.