Weekly Digest 12-3

In this issue:

• SAM FYI and Gallery Info
• NYFB Testifies at Assembly Budget Hearing
• Dean Foods Update
• CFAP Sign-up reminder
• DMC Sign-up reminder
• Farm Bureau Directors Training
• Meat Processing Webinar

NYFB State Annual Meeting is Almost Here

Monday, Dec. 7, along with the Young Farmer and Rancher, the Promotion and Education Business Sessions and Elections and the District Caucuses. Then on Tuesday, Dec. 8 delegates will take part in a day-long business meeting and delegate session to discuss and vote on public policy resolutions that started at the county Farm Bureau level. We will be using a virtual electronic voting system called eBallot.

Meeting packets have been sent to delegates and participants, but all members are able view the meeting. However, you will need the proper login information. The deadline to request login info is close of business today.

NYFB Testifies at Assembly Budget Hearing

Jeff Williams, Farm Bureau’s Director of Public Policy, testified today at an Assembly hearing on Budget Oversight and the Efficacy for Current State Investments in Agriculture and Food Industry. His testimony included support for funding of critical agricultural research, promotion and animal health programs in New York State, in addition to discussing the Department of Labor Farm Labor Wage Board. To read the testimony click here.

Attorneys Representing Dean Foods are Attempting to Recover Money from Dairy Farmers

Earlier this week, dairy farmers who previously shipped milk to Dean Foods received a demand letter from ASK LLP on behalf of Dean Foods requesting dairy farmers repay money they received for milk sales during the 90-day period immediately before the bankruptcy filing.

Dairy farmers who have received such letters should refrain from immediately responding to the demand letters until they ensure that they do not have a valid defense. AFBF is reviewing this issue and we will keep you up to date as we learn more.

Reminder: Sign-up Deadline for Coronavirus Assistance for Farmers is Dec. 11

The USDA is reminding farmers that federal assistance is available for agricultural producers who experienced market disruptions and associated losses because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program ( CFAP 2 ) began Sept. 21, 2020 and runs through Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers will be compensated for ongoing market disruptions and assisted with the associated marketing costs.

Commodities eligible for CFAP 2 payments include but are not limited to: row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture as well as additional commodities. USDA has made changes to the program and payment rates from the first round of CFAP payments. CFAP 2 payments will be made for three categories of commoditie: Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-rate Crops and Sales Commodities. To learn more about the program and information on signing up, click here .

Reminder: USDA Dairy Margin Coverage Program Enrollment Ends on Dec. 11

The USDA is now accepting applications for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2021 enrollment. Sign-up runs through Dec. 11, 2020. DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. For DMC enrollment, producers must certify with FSA that the operation is commercially marketing milk, sign all required forms, and pay the $100 administrative fee unless the dairy operation qualifies for a limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or military veteran farmers and ranchers waiver.

To determine the appropriate level of coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can utilize the recently updated online dairy decision tool. The decision tool is designed to assist producers with calculating total premium costs and administrative fees associated with participation in DMC. An informational video is available as well. For more information, click here.

NYFB To Host Training for Current and Prospective County Farm Bureau Directors

If you are interested in becoming a stronger Farm Bureau leader or may want to join your county Farm Bureau board of directors in the future, then we encourage you to take part in a virtual training session. We are offering four different dates and times to make it as easy as possible for you to take part.

Director orientation topics include:

What are some basics you need to know to be a director?

What documents are available to help you?

How can you make the most out of your role as director?

Learn answers to these and similar questions from the comfort of your own home in a 90-minute session. Registration is required. Click on the date that you intend to sign up for. You will be brought to a Zoom registration page that will ask you for your name and email address. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email which includes the Zoom link that you will use to access the meeting you've registered for.

This training session will be repeated four times at different times and dates this fall as follows:

• Wednesday, Dec. 2 • 7-8:30 p.m. • Todd Heyn
• Saturday, Dec. 5 • 9-10:30 a.m. • Todd Heyn
• Saturday, Dec. 12 • 8-9:30 a.m. • Tim Bigham

Thinking of Starting a Red Meat Packing Plant? CCE Hosting NYS Webinar

The Cornell Cooperative Extension's Livestock Program Work Team is hosting a webinar that will lay out some of the primary considerations for opening a red meat slaughter and processing facility, from infrastructure to regulations and from labor to financing. The webinar will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 12-1:30 p.m.

Presenter Marty Broccoli of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Oneida County has 40 years of experience in the meat packing industry, and provides technical assistance for new plants in NY. Keith Schrader is a long-time beef farmer who owns Schrader Farms Meat Market, a USDA slaughterhouse in Romulus, NY. Both will share key tips and lessons learned, with ample time for Q&A. You can pre-register for this free webinar now. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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NYFB has created a Farmworker Relief Program , a database whereby a farmworker seeking work can complete a form to be included in the database, and a farmer seeking workers can use the database as a recruiting resource

NY FarmNet is Open

Please keep these numbers and websites available to call or share should you, a family member or friends need someone to speak with in these uncertain times. Support is available at 1-800-547-3276 and www.nyfarmnet.org.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255 (TALK), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Crisis Text Line Text

“GOT 5” to 741-741, www.crisistextline.org