In the two weeks since the USDA began accepting applications for coronavirus relief, it has paid $1.96 billion to farmers and ranchers through the so-called CFAP2, according to data released on Thursday. The average payment was $20,639 on the 94,959 applications approved for assistance.
The Midwest dominated CFAP2 payments, with five states receiving $856 million between them, or nearly 44 cents of every $1 paid, from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. They were Iowa, with $207.8 million; Illinois, $177.1 million; Nebraska, $176.5 million; Wisconsin, $149.2 million; and Minnesota, $145.8 million. The leading commodities for assistance were corn, with $687 million, and cattle, with $414 million. Up to $14 billion is available in CFAP2.
Payments under the original CFAP were relatively static at $10.2 billion to 643,952 applications. Signup ended on Sept. 11 for most producers, but applications will be accepted until Friday for farmers in Louisiana, Oregon, and Texas who were affected by hurricanes or wildfires.