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Ag Secretary Perdue Outlines More Details of COVID-19 Aid
Published April 20, 2020
According to the USDA, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is open to farmers and ranchers regardless of size or market outlet if they suffered an eligible loss. "We also looked ahead to help provide additional assistance with costs and disruption…USDA Will Make Monthly Food Purchases for Food Banks
Published April 20, 2020
The USDA will be purchasing a combined total of $300 million each month in dairy, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables for food banks. In the next two weeks, the USDA will be taking proposals to supply commodity boxes to non-profit…Biofuels Industry Not Included in USDA COVID-19 Aid
Published April 20, 2020
The USDA aid package doesn’t provide assistance to the biofuels industry. According to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, there’s not enough money to go around. Perdue says helping the biofuels industry is more than the USDA could do at this time.…Mid-Size and Beginning Dairies Remain Vulnerable
Published April 20, 2020
USDA will provide $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers through the coronavirus economic stimulus package. From that total, dairy farmers will $2.9 billion. Minnesota Milk Producers Association Executive Director Lucas Sjostrom is pleased USDA is delivering a…Limits on COVID Aid Will Not Address the Needs of Pig Farmers
Published April 20, 2020
There is a staggering mismatch between the number of hogs that need to go to processing and the plants that are open and available to do so. Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO David Preisler says the limitations in the USDA…USDA Announces COVID-19 Assistance Program
Published April 17, 2020
On Friday, the USDA announced the details of a coronavirus aid package for farmers and ranchers. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program includes $16 billion in direct support to farmers and ranchers and $3 billion to purchase fresh produce, dairy and…MN Hog Market in a “Tough Situation”
Published April 17, 2020
Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says Minnesota's hog market is in a tough situation. "A few of our hogs in Minnesota go to Smithfield Foods in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We're trying to find homes for those hogs on the…Spring Fieldwork Begins
Published April 17, 2020
Drier and warmer conditions in the forecast for the Northern Plains have farmers eager to start spring fieldwork. Hazen, North Dakota farmer John Weinand started planting barley on Friday. "We've also been working in the fields doing some fertilizer application…Drier Weather Conditions May Not Last Long
Published April 17, 2020
Farmers in the Midwest will have some opportunity to plant over the next two weeks. "I think we need to take full advantage of decent conditions while we can, because I'm not convinced the break will last long," said Drew…