On Wednesday, the Minnesota House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee heard an update on COVID’s impact on Minnesota agriculture. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen talked about the government aid provided to help with the processing plan shutdowns and the backup of livestock. “We asked for and received $11 million from the state to set up a hog composting site. There was one point where we thought we’d need another $15 to $20 million. Had hog processing plants stayed closed another week or two, we were that close on teetering,” said Petersen. “Luckily, the plants reopened and we returned $9 million of that to the state and it goes back to the general fund.” MDA asked for CARES Act funds. “We paid money to state turkey and hog producers and awarded $3.1 million of the $5 million appropriated.”
