The Impact of the Government Shutdown On Farmers & Ranchers

 

The government shutdown caused significant disruption in federal services provided to family farmers and ranchers. With the shutdown over, for now, many frozen federal agricultural activities have resumed, “including assistance offered through Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, distribution of trade aid via the Market Facilitation Program, rural development programs, and food safety inspections. Other services may be substantially delayed - dozens of economic and statistical reports that inform planting decisions will be published "as quickly" as possible, with the exception of January's World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, which is expected to be combined with the February report. Additionally, the shutdown slowed the implementation of 2018 Farm Bill programs,” the National Farmers Union reported in their January 31, 2019 E-News.

 

The USDA has extended enrollment deadlines for a number of FSA programs. Changes can be found here.