The $2 trillion stimulus package includes billions of dollars for U.S. agriculture. 

A quick analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows agriculture is set to receive $49 billion. Of that, $14 billion is provided to the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, and $15.8 billion is provided to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program. 

Meanwhile, $9.5 billion is provided to the office of the Secretary for livestock and specialty crops, and $8.5 billion is provided for Child Nutrition Programs. 

Additionally, the funding includes $450 million for commodity assistance, $100 million for broadband grants, and $25 million for distance learning and telemedicine efforts. 

The agreement opens the door for a potential third round of Market Facilitation Payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation, originally created to help farmers as the Trump administration carries out its trade agenda. Funding an additional round of payments through the program is a request from many groups in agriculture.

The $2 trillion stimulus package includes billions of dollars for U.S. agriculture. A quick analysis by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows agriculture is set to receive $49 billion. Of that, $14 billion is provided to the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, and $15.8 billion is provided to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program. Meanwhile, $9.5 billion is provided to the office of the Secretary for livestock and specialty crops, and $8.5 billion is provided for Child Nutrition Programs. Additionally, the funding includes $450 million for commodity assistance, $100 million for broadband grants, and $25 million for distance learning and telemedicine efforts. The agreement opens the door for a potential third round of Market Facilitation Payments through the Commodity Credit Corporation, originally created to help farmers as the Trump administration carries out its trade agenda. Funding an additional round of payments through the program is a request from many groups in agriculture.

Stimulus package includes Ag provisions

American Farmland Trust Tuesday announced a fund to help farmers affected by the coronavirus crisis. 

Announced on National Ag Day, the fund will award eligible farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. 

The initial focus will be on farms that sell at farmers markets or to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products. That focus could change over time as the negative impacts of the crisis become more widespread within U.S. agriculture. 

A new report estimates that local and regional food systems could lose up to $1.3 billion between just March and May of this year. While all farmers and ranchers will likely be seriously impacted by the market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the organization says, "some farmers are losing their primary markets because people can't eat in restaurants or shop at farmers markets." 

The Farmer Relief Fund program details can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.farmland.org/relief">www.farmland.org/relief</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

American Farmland Trust Tuesday announced a fund to help farmers affected by the coronavirus crisis. Announced on National Ag Day, the fund will award eligible farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The initial focus will be on farms that sell at farmers markets or to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products. That focus could change over time as the negative impacts of the crisis become more widespread within U.S. agriculture. A new report estimates that local and regional food systems could lose up to $1.3 billion between just March and May of this year. While all farmers and ranchers will likely be seriously impacted by the market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the organization says, "some farmers are losing their primary markets because people can't eat in restaurants or shop at farmers markets." The Farmer Relief Fund program details can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.farmland.org/relief">www.farmland.org/relief</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fund launched to help farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis

A group of agriculture organizations is calling on Congress to expand the Department of Agriculture's borrowing authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation. 

The groups say Congress must act to ensure the CCC has the authority and funding to assist farmers and ranchers facing serious cash flow challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The letter, addressed to both Senate and House leaders reads, "Farmers, ranchers and the supply chain that support them will not let Americans down during this unprecedented crisis, and they are asking the same of you." 

The organizations say, "Millions of producers will need help with cash flow given the rapid and unanticipated decline in commodity prices, the likely closures of ethanol processing plants, the effective elimination of direct-to-consumer sales and decline in full-service restaurant and school meal demand." 

Groups representing food, fuel and fiber signed on to the letter, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. The groups say Congress must ensure the CCC has ample authority and funding to help farmers and ranchers survive during this emergency.

A group of agriculture organizations is calling on Congress to expand the Department of Agriculture's borrowing authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation. The groups say Congress must act to ensure the CCC has the authority and funding to assist farmers and ranchers facing serious cash flow challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter, addressed to both Senate and House leaders reads, "Farmers, ranchers and the supply chain that support them will not let Americans down during this unprecedented crisis, and they are asking the same of you." The organizations say, "Millions of producers will need help with cash flow given the rapid and unanticipated decline in commodity prices, the likely closures of ethanol processing plants, the effective elimination of direct-to-consumer sales and decline in full-service restaurant and school meal demand." Groups representing food, fuel and fiber signed on to the letter, including the American Farm Bureau Federation. The groups say Congress must ensure the CCC has ample authority and funding to help farmers and ranchers survive during this emergency.

Agriculture groups call on lawmakers to support farmers

Implementation of the Phase One Agreement continues, according to the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. 

In a news release Tuesday, the two announced continued progress in the implementation of the agriculture-related provisions.&nbsp; Among the recent actions, both countries signed a regionalization agreement that, in the event of a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza or virulent Newcastle disease in a particular region of the United States, China will allow U.S. poultry exports from unaffected areas. 

China also notified the U.S. of proposed maximum residue levels for three hormones commonly used in U.S. beef production. U.S. beef producers, for the first time since 2003, will have access to nearly all beef products into China. 

U.S. pork producers will also be able to significantly expand the types of pork products shipped to China. China also updated its list of U.S. facilities eligible to export distillers dried grains with solubles, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a notice to facilitate the registration of animal feed manufacturing facilities for export to China.

Implementation of the Phase One Agreement continues, according to the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. In a news release Tuesday, the two announced continued progress in the implementation of the agriculture-related provisions.&nbsp; Among the recent actions, both countries signed a regionalization agreement that, in the event of a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza or virulent Newcastle disease in a particular region of the United States, China will allow U.S. poultry exports from unaffected areas. China also notified the U.S. of proposed maximum residue levels for three hormones commonly used in U.S. beef production. U.S. beef producers, for the first time since 2003, will have access to nearly all beef products into China. U.S. pork producers will also be able to significantly expand the types of pork products shipped to China. China also updated its list of U.S. facilities eligible to export distillers dried grains with solubles, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a notice to facilitate the registration of animal feed manufacturing facilities for export to China.

Implementation of China agreement continues

Produce suppliers are looking for federal assistance, as many industry sectors seek relief from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

 The United Fresh Produce Association, representing the fresh produce supply chain, has requested urgent action by Congress to mitigate the challenges facing the sectors that have been impacted most severely. 

The immediate impact felt by the fresh produce supply chain is $5 billion for exposure for lost inventory and risk to growers, $1 billion a week in lost sales, and tens of thousands employee furloughed, according to the organization. 

Those recommendations include the establishment of a $1 billion fund, to address claims filed by foodservice distributors who have outstanding expenditures to grower-shippers. However, the group says the need may skyrocket to $5 billion. 

The group also requests USDA Immediately make an additional $1 billion available to help meet the needs of schools and all emergency feeding sites. Finally, they request the federal government provide $225 million funding for the Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children to accommodate a temporary increase to the cash-value voucher benefits.

Produce suppliers are looking for federal assistance, as many industry sectors seek relief from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The United Fresh Produce Association, representing the fresh produce supply chain, has requested urgent action by Congress to mitigate the challenges facing the sectors that have been impacted most severely. The immediate impact felt by the fresh produce supply chain is $5 billion for exposure for lost inventory and risk to growers, $1 billion a week in lost sales, and tens of thousands employee furloughed, according to the organization. Those recommendations include the establishment of a $1 billion fund, to address claims filed by foodservice distributors who have outstanding expenditures to grower-shippers. However, the group says the need may skyrocket to $5 billion. The group also requests USDA Immediately make an additional $1 billion available to help meet the needs of schools and all emergency feeding sites. Finally, they request the federal government provide $225 million funding for the Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children to accommodate a temporary increase to the cash-value voucher benefits.

United Fresh urges Congress to take immediate action

A recent move to expand pork and beef access to China will benefit U.S. producers and exporters, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. 

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently updated its Export Library for China to reflect expanded access for U.S. beef and pork. The changes were among the provisions negotiated in the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement. 

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says with much broader access for U.S. beef, "the U.S. industry is well-positioned to expand its presence in the largest and fastest-growing beef market in the world." 

U.S. pork and beef still face retaliatory duties in China, but a tariff exclusion process implemented by the Chinese government earlier this month is providing some level of relief. 

USMEF states that while elimination of all retaliatory duties is still the best way for China to level the playing field for U.S. red meat, the exclusion process is expanding opportunities for importers and the U.S. industry.

A recent move to expand pork and beef access to China will benefit U.S. producers and exporters, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently updated its Export Library for China to reflect expanded access for U.S. beef and pork. The changes were among the provisions negotiated in the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says with much broader access for U.S. beef, "the U.S. industry is well-positioned to expand its presence in the largest and fastest-growing beef market in the world." U.S. pork and beef still face retaliatory duties in China, but a tariff exclusion process implemented by the Chinese government earlier this month is providing some level of relief. USMEF states that while elimination of all retaliatory duties is still the best way for China to level the playing field for U.S. red meat, the exclusion process is expanding opportunities for importers and the U.S. industry.

USMEF applauds expanded access to China

For the fourth straight week, the national average price of gasoline has fallen, plummeting 12.8 cents over the last week to $2.08 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. 

The average price of diesel, meanwhile, fell 6.5 cents to $2.66 per gallon. Gas prices have spent virtually all of March marching lower, with the drop continuing as the coronavirus destroys oil demand globally, according to Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy. 

DeHaan says, “there’s plenty more room for prices to drop, putting 99 cents per gallon prices as a strong possibility for perhaps many more stations than we previously anticipated.” 

Crude oil prices have continued to be under heavy selling pressure due to the coronavirus’ effects on global demand for products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. 

Additionally, a meeting March 5 by OPEC and Russia on how to stem the previous decline in oil resulted not in a production cut, but a feud between the two, with Saudi Arabia and Russia both saying they were going to raise oil production.

For the fourth straight week, the national average price of gasoline has fallen, plummeting 12.8 cents over the last week to $2.08 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The average price of diesel, meanwhile, fell 6.5 cents to $2.66 per gallon. Gas prices have spent virtually all of March marching lower, with the drop continuing as the coronavirus destroys oil demand globally, according to Patrick DeHaan of GasBuddy. DeHaan says, “there’s plenty more room for prices to drop, putting 99 cents per gallon prices as a strong possibility for perhaps many more stations than we previously anticipated.” Crude oil prices have continued to be under heavy selling pressure due to the coronavirus’ effects on global demand for products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Additionally, a meeting March 5 by OPEC and Russia on how to stem the previous decline in oil resulted not in a production cut, but a feud between the two, with Saudi Arabia and Russia both saying they were going to raise oil production.

Gas prices continue to plummet

The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service statistical reports remain on schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the March 26 Hogs and Pigs and March 31 Prospective Plantings reports. 

NASS reports the agency also continues to collect data for all upcoming reports, asking farmers and ranchers to complete their surveys online, if they don’t already respond that way. To protect the health and safety of producers, partners, and employees, NASS has suspended in-person data collection at least until April 3, 2020. 

NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer says, “We are making every effort to produce the U.S. crop, livestock, and economic statistics that the nation counts on, but to do that responsibly, we are following guidance to slow the spread of coronavirus.” 

Ensuring that responses are returned on time means little or no additional outreach is needed. USDA says online response is faster and more convenient for producers. To respond online at agcounts.usda.gov, producers will need their unique 17-digit survey code from the questionnaire or letter received in the mail.

The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service statistical reports remain on schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the March 26 Hogs and Pigs and March 31 Prospective Plantings reports. NASS reports the agency also continues to collect data for all upcoming reports, asking farmers and ranchers to complete their surveys online, if they don’t already respond that way. To protect the health and safety of producers, partners, and employees, NASS has suspended in-person data collection at least until April 3, 2020. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer says, “We are making every effort to produce the U.S. crop, livestock, and economic statistics that the nation counts on, but to do that responsibly, we are following guidance to slow the spread of coronavirus.” Ensuring that responses are returned on time means little or no additional outreach is needed. USDA says online response is faster and more convenient for producers. To respond online at agcounts.usda.gov, producers will need their unique 17-digit survey code from the questionnaire or letter received in the mail.

USDA NASS reports remain on schedule

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has launched a website in an effort to support ag families impacted by stress.

Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kelsey Olson was the one who spearheaded the effort to create the website <a href="https://www.kansasagstress.org/">kansasagstress.org</a>.&nbsp;Olson says the project stemmed from an application for a USDA Farm Stress grant.

“We just know that we’ve got growing concerns of stress," Olson says. "We had a lot of recent natural disasters, whether they be water related or periodically have tornadoes that come through Kansas and we’ve got the depressed commodity prices and there are just a lot of issues that weigh heavily on farm families and that can often lead to mental and emotional distress or substance abuse and anxiety and depression. So, we wanted to do what we could to help.”

One of those ways they found to help was by putting all the resources in one place. Olson says the website pulls together different resources to support all members of the family involved in agriculture including teens, aging adults, men, women and more.

Olson says there was a lot of positive support to launch the website when she mentioned the idea.&nbsp;

“Many people would chime in about how they had either personally been connected or knew of someone and that everyone had generally had a sense that stress is continuing to grow and there was a need to start the conversation and a need out there for how do we direct individuals or if you’re concerned for a loved one, where do you turn?”

Olson says they have also received positive feedback since launching the website and they will continue to add to the website as they learn of more resources and as they receive feedback on what’s needed.

by Sarah ThomackSt. Joseph PostThe Kansas Department of Agriculture has launched a website in an effort to support ag families impacted by stress.Kansas Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Kelsey Olson was the one who spearheaded the effort to create the website <a href="https://www.kansasagstress.org/">kansasagstress.org</a>.&nbsp;Olson says the project stemmed from an application for a USDA Farm Stress grant.“We just know that we’ve got growing concerns of stress," Olson says. "We had a lot of recent natural disasters, whether they be water related or periodically have tornadoes that come through Kansas and we’ve got the depressed commodity prices and there are just a lot of issues that weigh heavily on farm families and that can often lead to mental and emotional distress or substance abuse and anxiety and depression. So, we wanted to do what we could to help.”One of those ways they found to help was by putting all the resources in one place. Olson says the website pulls together different resources to support all members of the family involved in agriculture including teens, aging adults, men, women and more.Olson says there was a lot of positive support to launch the website when she mentioned the idea.&nbsp;“Many people would chime in about how they had either personally been connected or knew of someone and that everyone had generally had a sense that stress is continuing to grow and there was a need to start the conversation and a need out there for how do we direct individuals or if you’re concerned for a loved one, where do you turn?”Olson says they have also received positive feedback since launching the website and they will continue to add to the website as they learn of more resources and as they receive feedback on what’s needed.

Website launched to support ag families impacted by stress

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574196219385.jpeg">A barge on the Missouri River is ready to be loaded with soybeans/Photos by Brent Martin By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post Grain is being shipped by barge from the new St. Joseph port on the Missouri River for the first time. Scott Gage with Central Commodities says barges are being loaded with soybeans at ransport 360, the operator of the St. Joseph Port Authority. “Right now, we’re loading two, which will be a little over 100,000 bushel and we’ll just have to see where the markets at from here,” Gage tells St. Joseph Post as he observes soybeans being unloaded from trucks into a barge on the Missouri River. It’s a big day for Transport 360 with CEO Bill Becker also watching as the barges are being loaded. “These particular barges are going down to the Gulf, yes, and it’s soybeans that will be delivered to the Gulf, reloaded on to a ship and they’re destined for export to some destination,” Becker says. Barges began leaving the Transport 360 port this week with the two barges hauling Central Commodities soybeans being the first barges to carry grain from the facility just off U.S. Highway 36. The barges hold 54,000 bushels of soybeans each. The begin their journey down the Missouri River to St. Louis and then on to the Gulf of Mexico for export. Gage says Central seeks the highest price, whether it is in St. Joseph, Kansas City, or overseas through the Gulf of Mexico. He says shipping by barge is much cheaper than the cost of shipping by truck or even rail, which opens export markets for his grain. “We can get so many more bushels on a barge, where a truck, freight, logistically you couldn’t make it work. It would cost way too much in freight,” Gage says. “I mean, you’re talking a thousand bushels on a truck versus 54,000 bushels at one time.” After a barge season interrupted by Missouri River flooding, Transport 360 hopes to ship between 15-and-20 barges this fall. Becker says while the Missouri remains high, it isn’t too high to ship grain on it. “Now, the water might rise 10 feet, it still doesn’t create a big advantage or disadvantage, really,” according to Becker. “The only time that it became a major issue was that it got so high last spring that St. Louis shut down and they couldn’t get barges in. In a lot of cases, our water was at a stable level, but we couldn’t get barges because the Mississippi was too high and so they were locked up there.” Becker says the St. Joseph Port Authority would like to see 80-to-100 barges ship each year from St. Joseph.<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574196337252.jpeg">Trucks unload soybeans for shipment by barge from Transport 360. <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574196385849.jpeg">Soybeans being loaded onto a barge.

Grain leaves St. Joseph port for 1st time as barge shipments resume

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574088333941.jpeg">Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue, being interviewed at the NAFB convention/Photo by Melissa Gregory By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph Post Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the move of two research agencies at the USDA from Washington, D.C. to Kansas City puts the agencies closer to those they serve. Perdue has toured an office building near downtown Kansas City where the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will be relocated. Perdue insists this isn’t as big a move as critics claim. “Do you know that the Economic Research Service and NIFA were the only two agencies that were not represented outside of D.C.? Ninety percent of USDA workforce is outside of D.C. and NIFA and ERS were not, but now they will be,” Perdue tells reporters during his stop at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters convention in Kansas City this weekend. Critics have claimed the two research arms of the USDA will lose valuable experience by moving out of the District of Columbia. Some contend the USDA made the move, because the Trump Administration is upset with some of their work, especially research on the potential impact of climate change. The move is an economic boost to the greater Kansas City area with 576 USDA jobs moving to the Midwest, which an average salary of between $100-and-120 thousand. Missouri Governor Mike Parson says Missouri officials worked with their Kansas counterparts to make the successful bid which landed the two agencies. “The one thing we do know, we’re hard workers and we’re going to continue to work hard and when you work hard, the results happen to be like today and this is a great moment for Kansas City,” Parson says. “It’s a great moment for our state and what it’s going to do for us in the future.” The agencies are moving to 805 Pennsylvania Avenue, just off of downtown Kansas City. The Congressional delegations of Missouri and Kansas as well as local officials across the state line worked together on the bid, winning a contest that attracted proposals from 135 locations across the country. The state of Missouri says the relocation to Kansas City puts the two agencies within 300 miles of 13 land-grant universities as well as top agricultural research universities. Melissa Gregory, KFEQ Farm Director, and the Missourinet contributed to this article.&nbsp;