Ag lobbyist Jim Callan says discussions on a new COVID-19 relief package will likely pick up in July. “I think many in Congress, particularly Senate Republicans, want to see the impacts of the previous COVID-19 related relief package take effect, because a lot of money was already put into the U.S. economy.” Callan says North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is having high level discussions on additional funding for agriculture. “I think there’s bipartisan support to have more money for agriculture. How that manifests itself right now is unknown. However, there are several different ways they can do it. The HEROES Act passed by House lawmakers has $16.5 billion for direct payments for producers,” says Callan. “I think what others want to do is add more funds to the Commodity Credit Corporation, at least $50 to $60 billion.” According to Callan, lawmakers are also considering the haying and grazing of cover crops and the USDA is still on track to provide more details on quality loss provisions in the WHIP+ program in July.
News Categories
Latest RRFN Podcasts
Subscribe to RRFN
Get a weekly digest from RRFN to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in agriculture.