Earlier this year, pork producers had to euthanize hogs to minimize the backlog at processing plants. This new COVID relief package requires the USDA to provide partial reimbursement to livestock and poultry growers for depopulating herds during the pandemic. “It will be a percentage of the value, but more details are needed,” said David Preisler, CEO, Minnesota Pork Producers Association. “We’ll have to see how that value is calculated and it would just be for the value of animals themselves. There’s been other state programs that have helped on the actual disposal of the carcasses, but we also know there’s been some financial hurt that occurred on farms that had to put animals down. As we dig into the bill, we’ll know more specifics.” Other parts of the bill important to Minnesota pork producers include funding for state veterinary diagnostic labs and funding for inspectors at the border.
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