After a lengthy weekend session, Congress will vote today on legislation to fund the government and deliver coronavirus assistance. The $908 billion 
COVID-19 package includes $13 billion for agriculture. Crop farmers will receive a supplemental $20 per acre Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payment. In addition to the COVID relief, the omnibus bill fully funds commitments made under WHIP+ for 2018 and 2019. That includes the second half of those payments and quality loss. Another round of Paycheck Protection Program loans will be available. There’s $3 billion to partially offset losses for livestock and poultry farmers forced to euthanize animals due to supply chain issues. The bill also addresses a timing issue in the original CFAP payments for cattle producers, offering help to farmers and ranchers who sold cattle after April 15. This wide-ranging bill has money for ethanol producers, specialty crop block grants, food donations and local market development. There’s supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments for small dairy farms and money to deal with farm stress.
