U.S. dairy producers received about $337 million in direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) as of June 8, according to a weekly update from the USDA. Payment applications processed by USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices stands at 7,706.
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Dave Natzke
Editor / Progressive Dairy

The FSA began taking applications May 26. Since the start of the application period, the top 10 states for CFAP dairy payments were:

  • Wisconsin: $79.9 million – 1,741 applicants
  • California: $44.3 million – 339 applicants
  • New York: $38.3 million – 941 applicants
  • Pennsylvania: $23.6 million – 768 applicants
  • Michigan: $21.7 million – 372 applicants
  • Ohio: $9.9 million – 338 applicants
  • Iowa: $8.8 million – 299 applicants
  • Oregon: $8.5 million – 84 applicants
  • Texas: $8.5 million – 106 applicants
  • Idaho: $8.5 million – 127 applicants

Find the complete list here.

In addition to dairy, payments totaled $676.2 million to livestock producers, $368.1 million to producers of non-specialty crops and $24.8 million to producers of specialty crops.

Applications will be accepted through Aug. 28, 2020, with application numbers and program payments announced each Monday on the CFAP website.

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More CFAP information resources available

A 16-minute video provides guidance on filling out the USDA FSA application (form AD-3114) for the CFAP direct payments. Mark Stephenson, University of Wisconsin – Madison director of dairy policy analysis, walks producers through the form and addresses common questions from dairy producers. It features the latest USDA interpretations of the program provisions as of June 5. The video should stream in most browser versions greater than and including: Firefox 3.5, Chrome 3, Internet Explorer 9, Safari 3, Opera 10.5 and iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc.) devices.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has compiled and answered the most frequently asked questions from dairy farmers about the program. Topics include milk and dairy livestock payment levels and application procedures.

The USDA also has an extensive list of tools and resources on the CFAP website to help producers understand the program and enable them to work with FSA staff to complete applications.

USDA hosting CFAP webinars

The USDA’s FSA will host several webinars to assist ag producers with CFAP direct payment applications. The webinar designed specifically for dairy producers will be held June 11.

All sessions begin at 3 p.m. (Eastern time). Dates and topics for USDA CFAP webinars follow:

  • June 9 – Specialty crops
  • June 11 – Dairy and non-specialty crops
  • June 16 – Non-specialty crops and livestock
  • June 18 – FSA programs in the time of coronavirus

Check the FSA webinar page for advance registration information. Producers are also reminded the CFAP call center is available for one-on-one support with the CFAP application process. Phone (877) 508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee.

Read also:

Initial CFAP dairy payments total nearly $129 million.

CFAP application period to open May 26; dairy payment is about $6.20 on 1Q production.  end mark

Dave Natzke