(Ames, Iowa) – Yesterday (Wednesday), the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding the lack of pandemic relief for custom cattle feeders. The additional assistance announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in January 2021 excluded custom cattle feeders. Several custom cattle feeders in Iowa contacted the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association requesting help due to significant revenue loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to mitigate this shortfall in assistance, we worked with Iowa’s congressional delegation to send a bicameral letter to Sec. Vilsack in February 2021.

Since that time, USDA has modified and extended the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2 more than once. Most recently, the deadline to apply for or modify an existing application was extended to October 12, 2021. However, this does not apply to custom cattle feeders.  The ICA says six-months have passed since the letter was sent by our elected officials, yet no solution has been offered. While swine and poultry contract growers are eligible to receive aid, custom cattle feeders remain unassisted.

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association calls on Sec. Vilsack to include custom cattle feeders as part of any upcoming assistance plans.

Read the full letter from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association here. Read the letter from Iowa’s congressional delegation, sent February 24, 2021, here.