Cost-share programs for Minnesota hog and turkey farmers affected by pandemic

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Cost-share programs for Minnesota hog and turkey farmers affected by pandemic

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has announced cost-share programs for pig and turkey farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MDA says money from the CARES Act is available to assist hog operations forced to depopulate healthy animals and to help turkey producers who marketed fewer liveweight pounds because of supply-chain backups.

The Hog Depopulation Cost-Share Program is for owners of hogs, including integrators and independent growers, that depopulated hogs being raised in Minnesota.

Depopulation must have occurred between March 2^nd and September 30^th of this year in response to changing market conditions caused by COVID-19.  Another stipulation is that animals had to be put down under the guidance of an accredited veterinarian.

The Turkey Market Loss Cost-Share Program provides financial assistance to Minnesota turkey producers, including processors, contract growers, and independent growers, who marketed fewer liveweight pounds from the beginning of March to the end of September.

The Minnesota Department of Ag is taking applications for both programs and says the deadline is the afternoon of December 1^st.