FOCUS ON AG
May 22, 2020
CFAP PAYMENT DETAILS ANNOUNCED
USDA announced details for enrollment in the Caronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will authorize up to $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers to partially help offset the financial impacts that U.S. farmers and ranchers have incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aid package also included $3 billion for USDA to purchase fresh produce and meat to be delivered to those in need through food banks and other charitable organizations, which is already occurring. The payment structure and formulas for CFAP crop and livestock payments are somewhat complex.
Following is a brief overview of sign-up details and payment calculations for the CFAP payments:
- CFAP Enrollment — Sign-up for the CFAP program is May 26 through August 28, 2020 at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. Currently, FSA offices are open for business by phone appointment only. Once FSA has verified CFAP eligibility, producers will be able to complete the application on-line. The CFAP application tool and forms will be available at: farmers.gov/CFAP
- Other CFAP requirements — For producers that normally enroll in farm programs or utilize other FSA services, the FSA offices likely already have most of the background information needed to apply for CFAP payments. For producers that are new to utilizing FSA programs and services, they will need to supply the FSA office with name, address and personal information, as well as business structure, adjusted gross income verification, direct deposit information, and conservation compliance.
- Covered Commodities —
Field Crops — Corn, soybeans, spring wheat, drum wheat, sorghum, oats, malting barley, canola,
upland cotton, millet, and sunflowers.
Livestock — Cattle, hogs, sheep, wool, and dairy.
Specialty Crops — Numerous fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other specialty crops.
For a complete list, go to: www.farmers.gov/CFAP
Commodities Not Covered — Winter wheat, rice, rye, flax, feed barley, peanuts, alfalfa, forage crops,
ESL cotton, eggs, poultry, hemp, and tobacco.
Note — Commodities were deemed eligible for CFAP based on a 5 percent or more price decline from
January 15 to April 15, 2020. Except for hemp and tobacco, USDA may reconsider eligibility
of the other commodities, if there is evidence that supports the required 5 percent price decline.
- Payment structure and timeline — The funding for the CFAP direct payments will be derived as follows: $9.5 billion from the $2.2 trillion CARES Act and $6.5 billion that is currently available through Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds. There are two listed payment rates for each commodity, one for the CARES Act funds and one for the CCC funds. The eligible payments are then combined into one payment to producers, which will be paid at 80 percent as an initial payment and the final 20 percent will be paid later, as funds become available. FSA hopes to have initial payments out very soon after the CFAP application process is completed.
- Field Crop payment rates — Following are the payment rates for common crops:
Corn — CARES rate = $.32 per bushel; CCC rate = $.35 per bushel; Total = $.67 per bushel.
Soybeans — CARES rate = $.45 per bushel; CCC rate = $.50 per bushel; Total = $.95 per bushel.
Spring Wheat — CARES rate = $.18 per bushel; CCC rate = $.20 per bushel; Total = $.38 per bushel.
- Livestock payment rates —
Hogs — CARES rate = $18 per head for market hogs; $28 per head for hogs under 120 pounds.
CCC rate = $17 per head for all hogs.
Cattle — CARES rate = $214 per head for market cattle; $102 per head for feeder cattle under 600
Pounds and $139 per head for 600 pounds and over; $92 per head for market cows.
CCC rate = $33 per head for all cattle.
Sheep — CARES rate = $33 per head for market sheep less than two years old.
CCC rate = $7 per head for all sheep.
Dairy — CARES rate = $4.71 per hundredweight of eligible production.
CCC rate = $1.47 per hundredweight of eligible production.
- CFAP payment calculations —
Field Crops — Both the CARES and CCC payments will be based on the following bushels or amount:
The lesser of 50 percent of the verified 2019 production for a crop or the unpriced
bushels in inventory on January 15, 2020.
The CARES and CCC rates are then applied on 50 percent (.50) of the eligible bushels.
Please refer to examples in the attached Table.
Livestock — The CARES rate funding is based on the number of head sold from Jan. 15 to April 15.
The CCC rate funding is based on the highest inventory between April 16 and May 14.
Please refer to examples in the attached Table.
Dairy — CARES payments will be based on the certified milk production for the first quarter of 2020.
The CCC payments will be based on the first quarter production times a factor of 1.014.
Calculations for specialty crops and other commodities are available at: www.farmers.gov/CFAP
- Payment Limits — Following are payment limits that apply to CPAP payments: $250,000 per individual or entity or all commodities.
A corporation or partnership may have payment limits for up to 3 individuals, for a
total of $750,000, provided that they meet eligibility requirements.
A person must have an adjusted gross income of less than $900,000 to be eligible.
- Other details on the CFAP payments — Payments through CFAP are direct payments to producers of crops, livestock, and specialty crops and do not have to be repaid. This is different than the PPP and EIDL loan funding that was received through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Where to get more details regarding CFAP enrollment and payments —
Information on the CFAP program and applications will be available at local FSA offices. Producers are encouraged to be patient with FSA office staff, as this is a new program and there is likely to be heavy demand for enrollment, due to the wide range of commodities that are eligible for CFAP payments.
The application and other information for CFAP are available at: www.farmers.gov/CFAP
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Note — For additional information contact Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst and
Vice President, MinnStar Bank, Lake Crystal, MN. (Phone — (507) 381-7960);
E-mail — kent.thiesse@minnstarbank.com) Web Site — http://www.minnstarbank.com/
CFAP PAYMENTS — CROP EXAMPLES
Background Information
Farmer produced 200,000 bushels of corn and 60,000 bushels of soybeans in 2019.
Farmer had 150,000 bushels of corn and 20,000 bushels of soybeans in inventory on 1-15-20 (unpriced).
Eligible Bushels
Lesser of 50 percent (.50) of production or the unpriced inventory on 1-15-20.
Corn — 100,000 Bu. (200,000 Bu. x .50) is less than 150,000 Bu. (Inventory on 1-15-20).
Soybeans — 20,000 Bu. (Inventory on 1-15-20) is less than 30,000 Bu. (60,000 Bu. x .50).
Payment Rates
Corn — $.67 per bushel ($.32/Bu. CARES rate plus $.35/Bu. CCC rate).
Soybeans — $.95 per bushel ($.45/Bu. CARES rate plus $.50/Bu. CCC rate).
Payment Calculations and Amounts
CFAP payments for crops are paid on 50 percent (.50) of the eligible bushels (calculated above).
The initial CFAP payment will be 80 percent (.80) of the eligible amount, with 20 percent (.20) later.
Corn — 100,000 Bu. x .50 = 50,000 Bu. x $.67/Bu. = $33,500 (Total Payment) x .80 = $26,800 (Initial).
Soybeans — 20,000 Bu. x .50 = 10,000 Bu. x $.95/Bu. = $9,500 (Total Payment) x .80 = $7,600 (Initial).
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CFAP PAYMENTS — LIVESTOCK EXAMPLES
Background Information
Hogs — Farmer sold 5,000 market hogs from 1-15-20 to 4-15-20, with 8,000 head in inventory on 5-01-20.
Cattle — Farmer sold 100 yearling steers (700 lb.) on 3-01-20 and has 400 calves in inventory on 5-14-20.
Payment Rates
Hogs — $18 per head (CARES rate on hogs marketed) and $17 per head (CCC rate on inventory).
Cattle — $139 per head (CARES rate on yearlings sold) and $33 per head (CCC rate on calves in inventory).
Payment Calculations and Amounts
Livestock CFAP payments are paid as follows …… CARES payment rate on animals sold from 1-15-20 to 4-15-20, and the CCC rate on the highest inventory number between 4-16-20 and 5-14-20.
The initial CFAP payment will be 80 percent (.80) of the eligible amount, with 20 percent (.20) later.
Hogs — 5,000 head sold x $18/head. = $90,000 (CARES) + 8,000 head inv. x $17/head = $136,000 (CCC).
CFAP payment = $90,000 + $136,000 = $226,000 (Total Payment) x .80 = $180,800 (Initial)
Cattle — 100 steers sold x $139/head. = $13,900 (CARES) + 400 head inv. x $33/head = $13,200 (CCC).
CFAP payment = $13,900 + $13,200 = $27,100 (Total Payment) x .80 = $21,680 (Initial)
*** Table developed by Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst ***