The Iowa Department of Agriculture has extended a program to help pork and poultry producers forced to euthanize animals due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. Iowa Poultry Association CEO and Executive Director Kevin Stiles says he anticipates poultry producers to apply for that help given the negative impacts of the pandemic.

Iowa has over 58 million egg-laying hens with nearly 70 percent of those layer flocks producing for the liquid egg markets and destined for restaurants, schools and other food service markets. Stiles says prior to the extension of the IDA program, his industry was optimistic about restaurants re-opening and rebounding.

He says the other aid the poultry producers are looking for would come hopefully from the federal government through USDA’s next round of CFAP assistance.

This is the fourth round of funding provided to producers through the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program.