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Recent CFAP changes affect Oklahoma agricultural producers

Friday, August 14, 2020

 

Qualifying agricultural producers wishing to take part in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program have until Sept. 11 to apply, an extension of the date previously announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Commodities eligible for CFAP are those that had more than a 5% decline in commodity prices – based on either futures or cash prices – between the Jan. 13-16 period and the April 6-9 period. In Oklahoma, that means livestock and dairy producers are eligible, and most summer crops and cotton are eligible field crops, with pecans included in the specialty crops category. A full list of CFAP eligible commodities can be found online through the USDA website.

To apply or get more information, contact USDA through its CFAP website or by phone at 877-508-8364. CFAP was established on a $16 billion earmark under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed earlier this year. As of Aug. 10, $7 billion had been disbursed.

Photo of sheep.
Oklahoma is home to more than 50,000 sheep, many owned by producers who may be eligible for CFAP assistance under expanded federal guidelines. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)

“Producers who already have approved CFAP applications will receive the remaining 20% of eligible payments in the coming weeks,” said Amy Hagerman, Oklahoma State University Extension agricultural and food policy specialist. “There are no additional steps that have to be made; the payment will be processed automatically using the information provided on their application.”

Hagerman recently appeared on the OSU Extension agricultural television program SUNUP, detailing specific changes to the federal assistance program.

As with the Market Facilitation Program in 2018 and 2019, CFAP payments were designed to be made in tranches, with the remaining 20% paid automatically. In Oklahoma as of Aug. 10, livestock producers had received a total of $248 million in the first tranche of payments. Oklahoma also had $9.7 million in non-specialty crop payments, $2.5 million in dairy payments and $2.9 million in specialty crop payments.

By early August, there also had been 29,000 applications approved for all producers in the state – the majority of those in cattle production. From that point on, producers with approved applications will receive the full amount in a single payment.

In addition, CFAP has been extended to additional commodities. Sheep producers who were only approved for payments on livestock under 2 years of age can now submit an application on their remaining eligible inventory and sales. Nursery and cut flower operations, aquaculture operations and an expanded list of specialty crops also are now eligible. Go to the USDA website for a detailed list.

OSU Extension is one of two state agencies administered by the university’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and is a key part of OSU’s state and federally mandated teaching, research and Extension land-grant mission.

MEDIA CONTACT: Donald Stotts | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-4079 | donald.stotts@okstate.edu

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