Sept. 18, 2020
USDA to provide second round of coronavirus aid to farmers, ranchers
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts
- USDA offers second round of CFAP, signup starts Sept. 21
- Arkansas farms received more than $136 million during first round
(283 words)
Download related PHOTO: https://flic.kr/p/2jyiBjW
JONESBORO, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making available another $14 billion to eligible farmers and ranchers under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, and for the first time, rice, peanuts and soft red winter wheat are included.
The inclusion of rice is a key step for Arkansas, a state that produces about half of the nation’s output of the grain.
“This second round of CFAP expands the list of eligible commodities,” said Scott Stiles, extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “That's a plus for one of Arkansas' major crops — rice.”
Stiles said that under the CFAP2 payment mechanisms, rice and peanuts would fall under the "Flat-Rate Crops" category and qualify for a $15 per acre payment.
“Assuming we have 1.4 million acres of rice this year and just over 37,000 acres of peanuts, the addition of those crops to the CFAP program equates to roughly $22 million in additional payments to producers,” he said.
“With many rice producers in the state dealing with added harvesting cost following Hurricane Laura, the addition of rice to the eligible commodity list is welcome,” Stiles said.
However, these payments are subject to payment limitations.
“All classes of wheat will be eligible for CFAP2 making soft red winter wheat eligible,” Stiles said. “Payments for cotton, wheat, corn, sorghum and soybeans are calculated using a ‘Price Trigger’ formula that incorporates a number of variables.”
Under the first round of CFAP, Arkansas farmers and ranchers were approved for more than $136 million in payments through Sept. 13. USDA said the awards were made through the 18,163 applications submitted from Arkansas.
Signup for the program begins Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 11.
To learn about extension and research programs in Arkansas, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk, @uaex_edu or @ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Chief Communications Officer
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
mhightower@uada.edu
501-671-2006