Articles tagged under: coronavirus
New Analysis Highlights COVID-19 Impact on Ethanol
Published April 21, 2020
The coronavirus is having a swift and sharp impact on the U.S. ethanol industry. A new analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association says U.S. ethanol sales could decline by $10 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic and crude oil glut.…MN Ag and Labor Departments Trying to Help Pork Plants
Published April 20, 2020
On Monday, JBS USA said it will be closing its Worthington, Minnesota pork production plant, because employees tested positive for the coronavirus. There are efforts underway to help those plant workers and Minnesota hog producers impacted by the closure of…Unknowns Remain on USDA’s COVID-19 Direct Payments
Published April 20, 2020
A large portion of the USDA’s coronavirus aid includes $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers. Combest, Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell says more details are needed for the calculations of the direct payments. "What we…Noem Signs Executive Order for SD Pork Producers
Published April 20, 2020
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed an executive order to help the state’s pork producers during the coronavirus. "With packing plants shutting down across the country and in our region, farmer's options are very limited. The executive order will give…Uncertainty in Agriculture is like “Throwing a Rock in a Pond”
Published April 20, 2020
Agriculture was already dealing with a challenging economy, even before the COVID-19 pandemic started. According to Bell Bank Senior Vice President Lynn Paulson, farm program payments through the Market Faciliation Program and WHIP-plus did help the balance sheet come loan…What Does COVID-19 Assistance Provide for Livestock Producers?
Published April 20, 2020
Cattle producers will receive $5.1 billion of the $9.6 billion of the USDA direct payments for livestock producers. A study from Oklahoma State University estimates cattle industry losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will reach $13.6 billion, alone.…More Help is Needed for the U.S. Potato Industry
Published April 20, 2020
The U.S. potato industry says more help is needed from the USDA. According to the National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles, the COVID-19 relief package is a down payment. The potato industry would like the USDA to include representative potato…MN Lawmakers Press Forward in Last Month of Session
Published April 20, 2020
There's one month left for the Minnesota Legislative session. Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division chair Jeanne Poppe says for the next few weeks, there’s going to be work on agricultural policy and agricultural finance bills. "We…More CCC Funds Become Available in July
Published April 20, 2020
The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program is partially funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation. The CCC will be receiving another $14 billion in July and those funds could be available for more coronavirus relief. "I was able to appropriate about $23.5…