A majority of USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding is going to the cattle industry, row crops, and dairy.
Under the aid package, nearly $3 billion dollars is estimated for specialty crops. Experts say that the coronavirus may not be able to save everyone from economic loss, but the aid will help producers.
Gary Schnitkey, a professor at the University of Illinois, states, “Now that we’ve got the CFAP program, and maybe some more coming for the 2020 crop, most farmers will be okay...We’ll make it through this year. It won’t be great, there will be some financial losses, but overall, if we get some additional government aid, we will be okay.”
For eligible specialty crops, the total payment will be based on the volume of production sold between January 15th and April 15th, 2020.