More coronavirus relief is on the horizon for farmers and ranchers. Minnesota Farm Bureau members got an update on aid from USDA Deputy Secretary Steve Censky during a webinar on Thursday. Censky told farmers there continues to be strong interest in the current Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. So far, the USDA has distributed under $6 billion to farmers and ranchers across the country. However, the funds aren’t enough to help everyone. “Certainly, we’ve been working and talking to Congress about providing more resources,” said Censky. “We hope more funding becomes available to help producer’s deal with the shocks to the markets.” In the first round of CFAP, the USDA is paying out 80 percent of what was calculated; holding 20 percent in reserve due to demand. “Right now, it is looking like we’ll have sufficient funds and be able to pay out the remaining 20 percent on the initial tranche of $16 billion. Probably that decision won’t be made for another few weeks, but at this point in time, it looks like we can pay out what we were holding in reserve.” When the Senate returns to Washington D.C., lawmakers will be working on the next round of COVID-19 relief. The details are still being worked out and Censky said the USDA will be working with them on the details.
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