NMPF Thanks USDA and Congress for Taking Steps to Resolve Feed Shortage
July 8, 2019
The National Milk Producers Federation commended Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for taking action late in June to provide much-needed relief to farmers who have suffered from feed shortages this spring due to significant flooding and rain.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency announced that farmers who planted cover crops on prevented-plant acres will be able to hay, graze, and chop their fields as early as September 1 this year, as opposed to the usual November 1 date, to provide for enough forage for dairy and livestock operations later this year. The Department is also allowing for silage to receive the same treatment this year as haying and grazing.
Feed availability is a critical issue for dairy farmers in many regions of the country, given volatile weather this spring that disrupted planting. NMPF has also endorsed the bipartisan Feed Emergency Enhancement During Disasters Act (H.R. 3183) introduced by Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Angie Craig (D-MN), which takes similar steps to alleviate the feed challenges facing dairy farmers and others in agriculture. NMPF looks forward to additional work with Congress and USDA to address this challenge.
Download PDF
