farmdoc dailyIDOT’s 12% overweight variance on State Routes for emergency supplies for relief has been extended until May 29, 2020. This waver includes those hauling agricultural loads eventually destined to produce food for humans, feed for animals, fuel, fertilizer, or medical supplies/sanitizers. More details are on our Transportation page.
The White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday completed its interagency review of the rule for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which is expected to include limits on individual payments. Even as USDA prepares to send out first CFAP payments, Congress is debating a second round, but it’s likely to be June or July before another major coronavirus relief bill passes. (Agri-Pulse)
Some meat processing plants have become hot spots for COVID-19 infections, leading to some shutdowns and a glut of livestock that is ready for harvest. The fear is that farmers will have to euthanize animals that they cannot keep and cannot sell, but in Illinois it has not yet come to that. (The Center Square)
In 2018, the United States exported about 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol to more than 80 countries. That amount is expected to drop this year, a troubling sign for U.S. farmers beginning a planting season in the country that produces the world’s largest amount of corn, and ethanol. (Voice of America)
The agency sent the White House its regulation governing next year’s blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard, but the Trump administration is holding firm on its 2020 mandate, for now. (Politico)
Some farmers have even found positives to the stay-at-home orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including less traffic for their farm equipment to maneuver around, more family time, farm help from teenagers and time for building renovations. (Rock Island Dispatch-Argus)
