Naig: Farmers Want Long-Term Trade Agreements
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 25, 2019) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today in response to the USDA’s announcement of a $16 billion aid package to support farmers affected by the ongoing trade dispute. Market Facilitation Program (MFP) signup at local Farm Service Agency offices will run from July 29 through December 6, 2019.
“We appreciate efforts by President Trump and the USDA to support farmers in Iowa and around the country that have been affected by trade disruption,” said Secretary Naig. "As I travel the state the message from farmers is loud and clear: we want trade not aid. We must secure trade agreements, and I urge Congress and the Trump Administration to make that a priority. It is imperative that Congress pass USMCA as quickly as possible, and that we secure trade deals with China and Japan”
Producers who filed a prevented planting claim and planted an FSA-certified cover crop, with the potential to be harvested, qualify for a $15 per acre MFP payment. Acres that were never planted in 2019 are not eligible for an MFP payment. Sign-up for cover crop cost-share is currently available statewide through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
USDA Resources for Farmers:
- USDA Market Facilitation Program (MFP): https://www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp
- MFP Payment Rates by County: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/market-facilitation-program/index
- USDA Disaster Assistance Programs: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/index
- USDA Risk Management Agency Prevented Planting: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Topics/Prevented-Planting
State Resources:
- Cover Crop Options with Prevented Planting Fields: https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2019/05/cover-crop-options-prevented-planting-fields
- Sign up for Cover Crop Cost Share: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/farmers-can-still-apply-cost-share-funding