Details of the USDA’s CFAP or Coronavirus Food Assistance Program was unveiled this week. It provides $16 billion in direct payments which includes help for livestock producers impacted by the pandemic., who have suffered a five percent or greater price decline and who face additional significant marketing losses. U.S. Cattlemen’s Association’s President Brooke Miller says several producers have been hit hard by the pandemic and need the assistance.

He says the pandemic impacts coupled with the back log of cattle and hogs due to processing plant shutdowns or partial closures has also caused economic injury to all livestock producers.

Miller encourages his group’s members to apply for the aid at their County Farm Service Agency offices when signup begins May 26 and runs through August 28.

Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. The total payment will be calculated using the sum of the producers number of livestock sold between January 15 and April 15 2020, multiplied by the payment rate per head, and the highest inventory of livestock between April 16 and May 14 also multiplied by the payment rate per head.