CFAP was created in order to help producers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $16 billion was appointed for direct aid from the program. Industry groups called on USDA to extend the application period as well as add more commodities, as there was some confusion on eligibility.
“CFAP is just one of the many ways USDA is helping producers weather the impacts of the pandemic,” said USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in a released statement. “From deferring payments on loans to adding flexibilities to crop insurance and reporting deadlines, USDA has been leveraging many tools to help producers.”
Eligibility
CFAP assistance is available to livestock producers who have suffered at least a 5 percent price decline as a result of the pandemic. Originally, livestock covered in the program were cattle, hogs, and sheep less than 2 years old. USDA has extended the program to now include sheep of all ages.
Payments for affected commodities are calculated by using the sum of a producer’s number of livestock sold between Jan. 15 and April 15, multiplied by the payment rates per head; and the highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, multiplied by the payment rate per head.
Cattle payments range between $92 and $214 per head sold, depending on age and weight; and $33 per head of current inventory between April 16 and May 14.
Sheep payments are $33 per head sold less than 2 years of age, $24 per head sold greater than 2 years of age; and $7 per head of current inventory between April 16 and May 14.
USDA also added other commodities eligible for payments, including more specialty crops, liquid and frozen eggs, aquaculture, and nursery crops and flowers.
How to sign up
If you believe you are eligible for CFAP aid, USDA recommends first getting in touch with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at 877-508-8364 to begin the application process. USDA is also now accepting digital applications, which can be accessed at farmers.gov/cfap.
For those wanting to meet with FSA staff in person, all USDA Service Centers are now open for business, but may be available by appointment only. Visitors must wear a face covering during their appointment.
Producers who have already applied for the program and were accepted initially received 80 percent of their payments but FSA will be issuing the remaining 20 percent. New accepted applications will receive 100 percent of their total payment right away.
Total funds received
As of Aug. 10, USDA has approved 521,853 applications and paid out more than $7.03 billion to eligible producers. Cattle producers have received more than $3.06 billion in payments, and sheep producers have received more than $32.8 million in payments. Out of the Western states, Nebraska has received the most payments, followed by Texas, California, South Dakota, and then Kansas.
For more information on how to apply for assistance, and to find your local USDA Service center, visit www.farmers.gov/coronavirus. — Anna Miller, WLJ editor
