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Payments will provide first-step in relief for cattle producers

The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says direct payments to cattle producers through the food assistance program will provide much-needed relief, but more is needed.

Marty Smith is a cow-calf producer from Florida.  “This is a first step, not a final step,” he says.  “It’s certainly not a program that’s going to make anybody whole from all of the impacts of the virus situation.”

He tells Brownfield the organization will continue to lobby for additional resources for cow-calf producers, backgrounders, and other segments of the industry who may not sufficiently benefit from the program in its current form.  “We know this fall going into this market situation we’re going to see a lot of price pressure, and we’re going to see that we’re dealing with a lot of backlogs as the feedyards have filled up,” he says.  “And they’re full right now so what are we going to do and where are we going to go with those cattle.”

Beginning Tuesday, May 26 producers can submit applications to local Farm Service Agency offices for CFAP funds and the Administration hopes to begin distributing the following week. 

AUDIO: NCBA president Marty Smith