IARN — There has been much contention in the halls of Congress in the months and weeks leading up to the election. There has been a partisan power struggle between the House, Senate, and the White House. Many of the arguments have the American people caught in the middle as both sides try to make the other look as terrible as possible before the November 3rd elections. Read more
USMEF monitoring African Swine Fever impact in Germany
IARN — Officials with the US Meat Export Federation are keeping a close eye on recent confirmations of African Swine Fever in Germany, the largest pork producer in the European Union.
African Swine Fever was confirmed in Germany on September 9th when a dead wild boar near the Germany-Poland border tested positive. Reports show additional ASF cases have since been confirmed in the country, all in wild boars in the eastern state of Brandenburg. USMEF economist Erin Borror says global pork production remains at the same level but ASF in Germany will reshuffle pork trade patterns. Read more
Trade Advocates Urge Iowa Farmers To Oppose Tariffs On Imported Phosphorus
Statewide Iowa — (RI) — A group that promotes trade is urging Iowa farmers to call the White House and speak out against tariffs on imported phosphorus. Read more
GROWMARK essay contest open until Nov. 6
IARN — FFA members in six states have until November 6th to submit an entry to the 28th annual GROWMARK essay contest.
The essay contest is sponsored by GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives in conjunction with state FFA leaders. Karen Jones is youth and young producers’ specialist with GROWMARK. She says the contest helps students learn about current Ag issues and also gives them a chance to further develop their writing skills. Read more
CFAP 2.0 will cover “nearly every Ag producer”
IARN — U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Friday announced “up to an additional 14 billion dollars for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.”
USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey says the additional funding “will cover nearly every Ag producer out there.”
“(It is) a little broader in its coverage. We’re using a few different triggers, payment methods than we did the first time around,” Northey said.
Amanda De Jong, Iowa Farm Service Agency executive director, shares how the new payments structures differ from those featured in the first Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
“On the livestock side, it’s a simple calculation,” De Jong says. “Producers are going to give us their highest inventory number between certain dates, and then there’s a flat rate. I’ll give you an example. For cattle it’s 55 dollars, regardless of whether your animal is a calf or a 1,400 pound steer. We’re doing away with those livestock weight categories.”
“On the row crop side, it is different,” De Jong says. “The formula is simple. Producers are going to tell us they want to apply. Our software is going to look at and pull from their certified acres they did with us this summer and fall (and then) we’re going to take those acres and multiply them by a payment rate. For corn, it’s 58 cents. For soybeans, it’s 58 cents. We’re going to multiple that by a crop marketing percentage and then multiply it by their weighted APH.”
Northey asks producers “have a little patience,” as USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff work through a sign up rush.
“You have until December 11 to sign up, but don’t wait until the end to sign up. You don’t need a lot of information to apply. We encourage you to apply as soon as it works out for you, and we look forward to getting a check out to you right away. Folks certainly need the support,” Northey says.
For more information on CFAP 2, visit www.farmers.gov/cfap.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
FBN helps farmers lower costs, create transparency
IARN — Thousands of farmers are currently taking advantage of the large portfolio of offerings with their Farmers Business Network memberships.
FBN continues its mission to create a future of farming that puts farmers first by providing unbiased analytics and creating competition for farmers’ business. FBM co-founder Charles Baron says the network is proud to offer an expanded list of product features. Read more