WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2017 - USDA is providing $12 million to enable dairy operators in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico to purchase emergency feed for their cattle. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said signup for the assistance – enough to purchase a month’s supply of feed – began this past weekend. The program will be administered by the Farm Service Agency, which has offices and staff on the island.
“Dairy producers need help immediately and the Trump administration is providing it,” Perdue said in a release. Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico’s agriculture sector, including the dairy industry, comprising 253 licensed dairy operations and their 94,000 dairy cows. FSA will issue vouchers to licensed dairy applicants who may exchange the vouchers for feed at local dealers. If funding remains available at the end of the application period, FSA may provide assistance for additional feed or fuel purchases to further support these operations. All applications must be received no later than Dec. 1. For more information, click here.
