FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR FARMERS, RANCHERS

  

Federal resources are available for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Texas A&M University’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center has developed a briefing paper that identifies provisions most applicable to producers in the three recent Congressional interventions to stimulate the economy and provide COVID-19 relief.

Texas A&M AgriLife Vice Chancellor Patrick Stover said this publication will direct farmers and ranchers to resources for financial relief, so they can stay operational until the current situation improves.

Center Co-Director Bart Fischer said the latest federal relief package – the CARES Act – provides $23.5 billion for the Secretary of Agriculture to assist agricultural producers.  According to Fischer, $9.5 billion was allocated for COVID-19 response, and $14 billion for replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which serves as the traditional funding arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

AgriLife Agricultural Economist Joe Outlaw said the $9.5 billion in funding would apply to producers who supply local food systems, like farmers markets, restaurants and schools, livestock and dairy producers, and producers of specialty crops.  He said while the funding applies broadly to agricultural producers, many expect the funding to be used primarily for beef, pork, dairy, and specialty crop producers.

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center has also produced COVID-19 Impact on Texas Production Agriculture, a publication on the economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on various agricultural commodities throughout the state.

The briefing paper is available here.