Help is coming for farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus. USDA is in the process of figuring out a formula for assistance. “Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is having the chief economist and staff look at the different aspects of agriculture, trying to figure out what commodities have been the most damaged by the coronavirus,” says Collin Peterson, chairman, House Agriculture Committee. “They’re also looking at which ones will have the most damage going forward. USDA may come up with a system like they did the last time, but it would be a different formula. It’s not facilitation payments based on trade. It’s damage that’s been done by COVID-19.” The USDA has $9.5 billion to help livestock and specialty crop producers, and local food providers. At this point, Peterson says Perdue is planning to wait on using the Commodity Credit Corporation funds. “The secretary might be able to have that ready by the end of this week.” In the meantime, Peterson is fielding calls from local farmers, colleagues and leadership on other USDA provisions included in the stimulus package. Hear about the COVID-19 assistance, dairy and more in the interview.