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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Saturday, October 19, 2024
USDA is making $1 billion in loan guarantees available “to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic,” the department said Thursday.
Former Vice President Joe Biden accuses President Donald Trump of reacting too slowly to the coronavirus-driven market disruptions that have forced farmers to dump milk and plow under crops while people were lining up for help from food banks.
Cattle, dairy and hog producers as well as corn and soybean growers are expected to collect the largest shares of USDA’s $16 billion in coronavirus relief payments, which are designed to compensate for losses in sales or market value between January and April.
Contract chicken growers are struggling to cover their costs because of outbreaks that have forced poultry processors in many areas to slow operations and reduce the number of birds their farmers will produce.
Companies say internet network capacity has stayed strong the last two months, but some providers are struggling to repay loans, provide internet routers, or find enough personal protective equipment to protect workers from COVID-19.
Agency officials are testing new fertility drugs and adoption incentives in an effort to control the overpopulation of horses and wild burros that are damaging public lands.
Farmers can start enrolling next week for $16 billion in coronavirus relief payments, but the Agriculture Department has decided to prorate the aid to ensure there is enough money to go around, Agri-Pulse has learned.
The Federal Communications Commission is planning to finalize draft procedures for the $16 billion phase one Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) next month.