The livestock industry was able to access price supports for livestock as a result of agricultural COVID-19 relief programs, but the producer financial supports right now are in the details.
The federal government has released funds that will provide additional support for USDA programs. However, finding the flow of what programs are fully funded, state allocations, and if there are new programs, is difficult. Some of this is due to offices not fully be open or staffed, and the other part of this is producers having the time to do the research to find out where programs supports are.
When you go to farmers.gov, there is a list of programs, and you get shipped to another site, and then another site. The best thing that producers can do is keep your records and make an appointment or have a relationship with your USDA Service Center; and use the website as a reference to ask questions of USDA staff. There has not been anything released regarding another round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) that provided support to livestock producers the last two years.
There were press releases sent out last week regarding the loan forgiveness program for distressed borrowers. The details of how this is working is still being released, and comments can be accepted for how to implement the USDA discrimination loan forgiveness program. We also know that funding allocations for our older USDA programs are receiving funding. For example, the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) does have funding and the deadline for applications is November 1, 2022.
The increase in input costs is making it difficult out there right now. I don’t even want to discuss hay prices as an example. I would like to highlight some of the programs that may be useful to you, and that producers can ask USDA program staff about.
USDA, Farm Service Agency
• Water hauling & hauling feed – Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP)
– ELAP Program: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-assist-for-livestock-honey-bees-fish/index
• Livestock Feed Program (LFP): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-forage/index
• Livestock Indemnity Program: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-indemnity/index
• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/noninsured-crop-disaster-assistance/index
• There are also several farm loan programs depending on a producer’s specific situation.
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Program
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives
• Agricultural Management Systems (AMS): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/ama-agricultural-management-assistance
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/csp-conservation-stewardship-program
Above are just a few of the programs used in Nevada. I would expect more details to be released by the end of the year and as offices increasing staffing after COVID-19. Also, remember that the new federal budget year begins October 1, 2022, or a continuing resolution will be passed. We are also facing mid-term elections that may impact the federal budget process and the flow of funding into programs.
By Staci Emmn | Editorial