mdol-rule-change
January 4, 2019 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Farm Service Agency Affected by Government Shutdown

USDA Farm Service Agency county offices will not be operating after December 28, 2018, due to the lapse in appropriation. More information on USDA-wide resources and services can be found here.

Market Facilitation Program

Market Facilitation Program payments for producers that have already certified production with the Farm Service Agency will continue beyond January 1, 2019. Signup for the Market Facilitation Program ends on January 15, 2019. Secretary Perdue will determine if the deadline should be extended. You do not need to be finished with harvest to sign up. Farmers have until May 1, 2019, to certify production.

FSA Loan Guidance

Due to the lapse in federal government funding for all commodity loan activity has ceased as of January 3, 2019. This includes any loan activity conducted by DMA’s, LSA’s, and CMA’s. Access to the following automated FSA systems will no longer be available: Commodity Loan Processing System (CLPS), Cotton On-Line Processing System (COPS), Automated Cotton Reporting System (ACRS), and Centralized Cotton Redemption (CCR).

Commodities Pledged as Collateral for a Commodity Loan

Farm-stored commodities pledged as Commodity Credit Corporation collateral can be marketed (moved for purchase to a buyer) or fed, however, the following activities will not be processed while the government is shutdown:

  • Loan repayments
  • Loan disbursements
  • Refunds
  • Termination of transfers

During the shutdown, movement of collateral will be treated the same as loan collateral moved on a non-workday (same as a weekend or federal holiday). Producers with farm-stored loans may move loan collateral to non-designated structures during this period without prior written approval, provided the producer requests a CCC-681-1 Marketing Authorization on the next business day either by phone or in person.

FSA Farm Loan (Direct and Guaranteed) and FSA Farm Storage Facility Loans (FSFL)

Producers interested in FSA loan assistance may obtain more information for the following loan activity. The following sites provide the necessary forms to submit to apply along with information regarding the loan programs:

Please note these websites will not be current or maintained until funding issues have been resolved.

Loan applications will not be processed or considered until the lapse in federal funding has been resolved.

Acceptance of FSA Farm Loan and FSA Farm Storage and Facility Loan Payments:

If borrowers wish to remit payments, checks and money orders can be sent by mail to the local FSA office. Payments will be credited after the lapse in federal funding has been resolved. The postmark on the envelope will be used as the received date of the payment. FSFL and Direct Loans will not be deemed delinquent if a borrower is unable to make a payment due to offices being closed because of a lapse in federal funding.

Release of Normal Income Security:

Customers requesting the release of proceeds from the sale of crops, livestock or other security are advised to contact the office after the lapse in federal funding has been resolved. You can find your local office by visiting https://www.farmers.gov/service-locator.

October 4, 2013 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
Share:

Government Shutdown affects Agriculture

This week’s government shutdown has directly impacted several federal programs funded by appropriations. Those programs deemed essential to national security or funded by user fees will continue operating, some on a reduced basis. Most other employees have been affected by furloughs. (Source: USDA)

The following USDA activities will continue:

  • Meat, poultry and processed egg inspection services.
  • Grain and other commodity inspection, weighing and grading services funded by user fees.
  • Inspections for import and export activities to prevent the introduction and dissemination of pests into and out of the U.S.
  • Forest Service law enforcement and emergency and natural disaster response efforts.
  • Continuity and maintenance of some research measurements and research-related infrastructure, such as germplasm, seed storage, and greenhouses.
  • Care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.

Most other USDA activities may not be continued during a government shutdown. These activities include:

  • All farm loans and other farm payments (including direct payments, market assistance loans, and disaster assistance programs).
  • Provision of conservation technical and financial assistance (such as Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and easement programs).
  • Provision of new rural development loans and grants for housing, community facilities, utilities and businesses.
  • Agricultural export credit and other agricultural trade development and monitoring activities.
  • All recreation sites across the U.S National Forest System.
  • Most forest fuels reduction activities in and around communities.
  • Market news reports, NASS statistics, and other agricultural economic and statistical reports and projections.
  • Investigation of packers and stockyards related to fraudulent and anti-competitive activities.
  • Assistance for the control of most plant and animal pests and diseases unless funded by cooperators or other non-appropriated sources.
  • Research facilities except for the care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.
  • Provision of new grants or processing of payments for existing grants to support research, education, and extension.
  • ERS Commodity Outlook Reports, Data Products, research reports, staff analysis, and projections. The ERS public website would be taken offline.

A more complete list of agency contingency plans can be found on the White House website.

Related stories on the impact for Montana agriculture: