NCA News / Teacher of the Year Nominations Needed

USDA Provides Additional Coronavirus Assistance

On September 18, 2020, President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated

costs because of COVID-19. This is the second round of COVID assistance relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), or “CFAP 2”. Please find attached the final rule published in the Federal Register.

Below are a few key items to note:

• USDA has determined that CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 are separate programs. USDA’s first CFAP program was designed to address disruptions that had occurred by April 15, 2020. CFAP 2 payments are intended to address the disruptions that have occurred since then. As a result, CFAP 1 payments will not impact how CFAP 2 payments are calculated, and two separate payment limits will be in effect. • For price-triggered livestock, payments will be based on a fixed number of head, which is defined as the lower of the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the eligible producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020, or a specific number of head (4,546 head of cattle or 10,870 head of hogs, for example). Cattle payments can be calculated by multiplying the maximum number of head by the payment rate (for example, if you have 325 head eligible, you should expect to receive $17,875). • Commodities not eligible for CFAP 2 include: Hay, except for alfalfa, crops intended for grazing, and animals raised for breeding stock. USDA’s FAQ elaborates: the payments to livestock are focused on market inventory because there are limited funds available for CFAP 2 and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) authority that fully funds the program is meant to assist with costs associated with market disruptions. Breeding stock is typically kept for many years and therefore their value is less likely to be impacted by temporary price impacts. Non-breeding animals are more likely to be sold and therefore more likely impacted by market value changes.

Cattle Payments The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2020. Eligibility There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits when members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. In addition, this special payment limitation provision has been expanded to include trusts and estates for both CFAP 1 and 2. Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestryrelated activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions. Applying for Assistance

Producers can apply for assistance beginning Sept. 21, 2020. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 11, 2020.

Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap/ apply. For existing FSA customers, including those who participated in CFAP 1, many documents are likely already on file. Producers should check with their FSA county office to see if any of the forms need to be updated. Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office.

More details are available on the USDA’s CFAP website: https://www.farmers. gov/cfap/livestock.

NCA Seeking Teacher of the Year Nominations

The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association has started their annual quest for “teacher

of the year” candidates. We are asking for your help in soliciting nominations from school principals and fellow teachers. The deadline for submitting nominations is November 1, 2020. The nomination form can be found on our website at: www.nevadacattlemen.org/teacheroftheyearnomination2018.aspx The nominations must be an elementary, junior high, or high school teacher who incorporates agriculture into their regular curriculum. For example, a teacher who teaches a one-week segment on agriculture and its importance to Nevada. Nominees may also include teachers considered in previous years but were not selected for the award. Nominations must include a completed NCA Teacher of the Year Application Form and an attached outline of the nominee’s curriculum that has integrated a unit about agriculture. The winner of this award will receive a $1000 stipend to use on school supplies, donated by the Nevada Agriculture Foundation. The award recipient will also be recognized on the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association webpage and in their Sage Signals publication. The heritage of Nevada is ranching. Nevada Cattlemen’s Association believes the future of our industry lies in the education of the generations to come, as we explore new and innovative methods of sustainability. Please help us in our efforts to support our teachers and their vital efforts in educating our youth. Nominations may be submitted by email to nca@nevadabeef.org with “2020 Teacher of the Year Nomination” in the subject line; forms may be faxed to 775-738-5208; or sent by mail to, “Teacher of the Year Nomination”, C/O Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV 89803. For further information or questions, please email nca@nevadabeef.org or call 775-738-9214.

HOS Emergency Declaration for Livestock Hauling and Feed Hauls has been Extended

On September 14, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an extension to the Emergency Declaration on Hours of Service, that would extend it until December 31, 2020.

This declaration includes: 1. Livestock and livestock feed; a. FMCSA has informed us that the relief is only available to transporters of finished ingredients are ineligible for the relief. 2. Medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; 3. Supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants.

4. (4) food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed feed. Transporters of feed

loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.

To view/download a document explaining the Declaration in its entirety, please visit: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ emergency/extension-modifiedexpanded-emergency-declarationno-2020-002-under-49-cfr-ss-39025