The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program offers beef producers more aid options. Funds will be distributed on a per head basis for specific losses from January 1st through April 15th.
For some producers, these relate directly to losses at the time of sale but cow-calf operations may not have had any sales, but some payments could still be available.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President, Marty Smith, visited the White House this week and says that more aid will be necessary. Smith states, “We were told from the first steps, when Congress enacted this, this would be a first step in the process. The program announced yesterday has a lot of shortfalls, particularly in the cow-calf segment and there was nothing specific for stocker cattle except for per head. Not really recognizing the losses of the stockers and backgrounders.”
While he admits the program is not perfect, Smith notes that getting direct attention from the White House will benefit producers in future aid programs.