USDA Extends Deadline for Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program

USDA has extended the deadline for pork producers to submit applications for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program to April 15 from Feb. 25.

Announced in March 2021, the program made $50 million available to producers who sold hogs on the spot market from April 16 to Sept. 1, 2020.

The agency identified negotiated hogs as a sector of the agricultural industry significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that was not adequately addressed by previous pandemic relief programs and that experienced the greatest market price impacts of all hog purchase types.

The program’s payments were halted in late December because of issues with eligibility requirements and discrepancies among USDA Farm Service Agency offices. FSA is making adjusts and updates to the SMHPP, which likely will be announced this month.

Source: USDA