Agriculture Archives - Page 6 of 12

Daines: Montana Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by Coronavirus Need Relief Now

May 19, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement on new guidelines to implement the $19 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) for farmers and ranchers impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Montana’s hardworking farmers and ranchers whose operations have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic need relief now,” Daines said. “I’m grateful to President Trump for announcing these new guidelines that will provide more critical financial support for our ag folks. I will continue working with the Administration to ensure our farmers and ranchers get the support they need quickly.”

Daines: We Must Prioritize Made in Montana Beef, Support Montana Ranchers

May 13, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a resolution that would urge the President and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) for beef in trade negotiations. “During these unprecedented and challenging times, Montana producers and ranchers are struggling to keep their operations going,” Daines said. “That’s why it is important we pursue negotiations with our trading partners to include country of origin labeling. We must support ranchers in Montana and across the U.S. and ensure that only beef made and slaughtered in America receive the Product of the USA label.” Additionally, Daines cosponsored

Daines: Montana Farmers and Ranchers are Now Eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

April 21, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers, ranchers and ag businesses will be eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Today’s announcement follows Daines’ request to the Small Business Association urging them to grant farms, ranches and ag businesses the opportunity to apply for the EIDL program. “This is great news for Montana’s farmers and ranchers as they head into the spring planting season. Ensuring our farmers and ranchers have access to this program is critical to making sure they can continue to maintain our nation’s food supply chain

Daines Secures $19 Billion for Ag, Including Livestock, Specialty Crop Producers During Coronavirus Outbreak

April 17, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that USDA will be providing $19 billion in assistance for farmers and ranchers hurting from challenging market conditions due to the Coronavirus pandemic through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Part of the funding will go to help Montana’s cattle producers who have seen a drastic decline in cattle markets during the pandemic. This follows Daines’ request earlier this month to USDA Secretary Perdue urging immediate action for Montana’s ranchers. “Montana farmers and ranchers drive our economy and feed not only America, but the world,” Daines said. “During this Coronavirus pandemic, the

Daines Successfully Pushes for MT Ag Producers to be Eligible for Coronavirus Small Business Loans

April 8, 2020

U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that Montana’s farmers and ranchers will be eligible for the Paycheck Protections Program (PPP), which provides $350 billion in loans and grants to small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic if they maintain or rehire their employees. This announcement follows Daines’ push to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure ag businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief loans. “Montana farmers and ranchers are facing tough challenges and hardships because of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Daines said. “It is only right that our Ag producers have the same access to relief that was secured

Daines: Keep Montana Ports of Entry Open During Coronavirus Pandemic for Montana Ag, Trade

April 3, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan to consider the impact of the proposed temporary reduction of hours at a number of Montana Ports of Entry on Montana ag and Montana’s rural communities. “While reducing non-essential travel is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting public health, a reduction in hours at these critical ports would harm our farmers and ranchers and disrupt essential services and commerce for the Montana communities that rely upon these ports,” Daines wrote. “I urge you to take into account the

Daines Announces Expanded SNAP Benefits for Montana Families During Coronavirus Pandemic

April 3, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that SNAP benefits will be increased for Montana families during the Coronavirus pandemic. “This is about delivering relief for families struggling during the Coronavirus pandemic and I will continue working to ensure that Montanans have access to the resources they need during this crisis,” Daines said. Montana being eligible for SNAP Emergency Allotments means that all SNAP recipients in Montana would now be eligible to receive the maximum SNAP benefits by household size per month. To see the maximum SNAP benefits, click HERE. Background: Daines has been leading the efforts

Daines Urges SBA to Ensure That Ag Businesses Receive Coronavirus Relief Funding

April 2, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that agricultural businesses are eligible for Coronavirus relief programs. “Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses in Montana and across the country are facing substantial market challenges due to the pandemic,” Daines wrote. “Small businesses, whether they are involved in agriculture or otherwise, need assistance in these unprecedented times and SBA can play an integral role in mitigating disruptions to our nation’s food supply and our economy more broadly.” To read the full letter, click HERE. Background: Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress

Daines Urges USDA to Provide Immediate Assistance to Cattle Producers

April 1, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting immediate assistance to cattle producers during the Coronavirus pandemic. “The COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated the need for domestic food security,” Daines wrote. “All farmers and ranchers are vital to our country’s ability to keep food on the table in a future pandemic or related crisis, and many producers, including young producers, are often highly leveraged and cannot fall back on years of equity in a time of crisis. As such, we urge you to quickly deliver relief to producers

Daines Calls On DOJ to Investigate Price-Fixing, Market Manipulation Within Cattle Market and Meatpacking Industry

March 19, 2020

U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the ongoing allegations of price-fixing and market manipulation within the cattle market and the beef meatpacking industry. “At a time when cattle producers are seeing record losses and bankruptcies, now exacerbated by the COVID-19, compared to the shelf price of meat at record highs – these margins fail to make sense. We ask that the Department of Justice Antitrust Division evaluate these dual concerns thoroughly and expeditiously in order to protect the integrity of America’s failing beef industry,” Daines wrote.

Tag: Agriculture