USDA is moving forward on the second and final round of trade mitigation payments to farmers hurt from retaliation by America’s trading partners. Commodity producers are now eligible to receive Market Facilitation Payments on the second half of their 2018 production.

USDA has been sending out the first round of MFP payments to producers since September on the first 50 percent of their 2018 production. The MFP payments are designed for almond, cotton, corn, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, fresh sweet cherry, and wheat producers. Producers are only required to register one time for both the first and second round of payments.

The MFP signup period runs through January 15, 2019, but producers actually have until May 1 to certify their 2018 production numbers. Farmers who haven’t done so can find signup information and instructions at www.farmers.gov/mfp. Eligible producers must wait until harvest is completely finished as payments are made based on 2018 total production.

Farmers that have already applied, completed harvest, and certified their production, will receive a second payment on 50 percent of their production, multiplied by the MFP rate for each commodity.

(FSA) During a government shutdown, agencies that have funds appropriated in prior years that are carried forward can continue to serve customers until that money is used up. As a result, FSA county offices will be remain open through Friday, December 28.

If you need to visit your FSA county office, please call your local office to ensure we are open before you make the trip. Farm loan services will be limited. You can find your local office by visiting https://www.farmers.gov/service-locator.

As a reminder, signup for the Market Facilitation Program ends on January 15, 2019. You do not need to be finished with harvest to sign up. Farmers have until May 1, 2019 to certify production.

The Agricultural Broadband Coalition welcomes the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act included in the just-signed 2018 Farm Bill. Coalition co-Chair Nick Tindall says, “U.S. farmers and ranchers are deploying more and more data-driven technologies and solutions in their operation, and their need for reliable broadband connections in the field is intensifying. This important provision highlights this need to expand broadband services, including mobile coverage, to U.S. croplands and ranchlands.”

Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau, says bringing together the USDA, the Federal Communications Commission, along with public and private stakeholders to address the needs of precision agriculture ensures current and future generations of farmers and ranchers will have the necessary connectivity to achieve their goals.

Brian Cavey, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for CoBank says, “Rural communities depend on broadband to keep their businesses competitive in the marketplace. The inclusion of the connectivity provision in the 2018 Farm Bill is an important step towards developing widespread broadband internet access across America’s farmland.”

Ag commodity and policy groups across the board are pleased the 2018 Farm Bill is over the finish line. The National Corn Growers Association says it’s pleased farmers can look forward to 2019 with the certainty of a new farm bill in place.

An NCGA statement says, “Between depressed commodity prices, record low farm incomes, as well as tariff and trade uncertainty, this is welcome news.” The American Soybean Association is happy with provisions in the bill that maintain the ARC and PLC programs, as well as a strong crop insurance program, funding for Foreign Market Development program, and many of its other priorities.

Incoming House Ag Chair Collin Peterson says the new bill provides expanded, affordable risk management options for dairy farmers, as well as permanent, mandatory funding for a host of other valuable programs.

The National Cotton Council says the legislation means the continuation and enhancements of a much-needed safety net, crucial for many producers still dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters in 2018. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says one of the most critical components in the new bill is support for the international promotion of U.S. agricultural products.

The American Farm Bureau says the bill improves on risk management programs, invests in research and beginning farmer programs, is budget neutral, and ensures environmental stewardship programs continue to be available.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue earlier this week detailed which functions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture will remain available in the event of a lapse in government funding.

“There may be a lapse in funding for the federal government, but that will not relieve USDA of its responsibilities for safeguarding life and property through the critical services we provide,” said Secretary Perdue. “Our employees work hard every day to benefit our customers and the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers who depend on our programs. During a shutdown, we will leverage our existing resources as best we can to continue to provide the top-notch service people expect.”

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue took a look back at a busy year for the USDA and said his agency accomplished a lot of good things for American agriculture. “We fought for American farmers, ranchers, and producers by delivering new and improved trade deals like USMCA and a re-negotiated KORUS agreement, provided trade assistance to farmers because of illegal trade retaliation, and helped our fellow citizens through devastating natural disasters,” Perdue says. “I’m proud to say that every day at USDA we do our best to live by our motto to ‘Do Right and Feed Everyone.’”

He says accomplishments include making strides toward reigning in dependence on government assistance by beginning the rule-making process to move more able-bodied adults without dependents off the SNAP program and to self-reliance. USDA also provided a broad range of assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities at large following Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018.

Over the past year, the USDA Forest Service treated more than 3.5 million acres to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health through timber sales and prescribed fire. The agency also successfully merged the Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and the Farm Service Agency’s Commodity Operations programs to better meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, producers, and consumers, while also improving customer service and maximizing efficiencies.