Depending on size, type and marketing status, cattlemen are eligible for $33 to $214 payments/head from the CFAP administered through Farm Service Agency.
Last month USDA began accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Aid Program (CFAP), a relief program for farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Eligible livestock for the CFAP includes cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. Non-specialty commodities that are eligible include malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat, as well as wool. Specialty crops included in the program are, but not limited to, almonds, beans, broccoli, sweet corn, lemons, iceberg lettuce, spinach, squash, strawberries and tomatoes.
Enrollment at Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will continue through August 28, 2020. Participants do not need to have participated in FSA administered programs in the past to enroll. Depending on the age or class of the animal, and total program participation, cattlemen can be eligible to receive between $33 and $214 per head of cattle owned and/or sold between January 15 and May 14, 2020.
In the absence of the ability to meet with FSA staff face-to-face at this time due to the virus, there are presently two ways to apply for CFAP. First, cattlemen and eligible producers can call their FSA office and they will mail, or email you an application. In Fairfield and Perry Counties the FSA office phone number is 740-653-4012. Also, you may download the CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator from the farmers.gov website. The Excel workbook that downloads will allow you to input information specific to your operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form. It may then be printed and mailed or emailed to FSA. Application deadline is September 11, 2020.
For more information about CFAP as it relates to cattlemen, including the payment rates for various ages and types of cattle, see this recent post to the Ohio AgManager.