Cattle producers were included in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, but the April 15th cut off for marketed cattle severely limited payments. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says they are working to correct that restriction.

“Congress is looking at their COVID stimulus four package. And, one of our requests remains that we need to extend that April 15 date well into June in order to try to help cover as many losses as possible. And we also hope that there will be more funding included for CFAP in order to help fund additional payments.”

Feeder and Stocker cattle over 600 pounds that were sold up to April 15th received CFAP compensation of $139 coming out of the CARES act funds, while animals sold April 16th through mid-May were eligible for much less, $33 from the Commodity Credit Corporation Part 2 Payment Rate. CFAP funding is not the only COVID-19 related package Congress is working on.

Woodall added improving the meat processing system is also on the agenda.

“Of course, COVID definitely demonstrated that we need more shackle space. The question is where are we going to get the investment to bring that space online. The DIRECT Act would allow for electronic e-commerce for state inspected plants across state lines which would hopefully give some of those smaller plants more opportunities. And then also looking at the RAMP UP Act, and what we can do to continue to find investment to help folks make the decision to get into the packing businesses, to build a new plant or expand what they have.”

Woodall added when looking at getting things done in Congress, often its just a matter of timing.


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