A news release on Friday from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] is ensuring that milk producers are not inappropriately penalized if their milk must be dumped because of recent market disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, RMA is extending inspection deadlines, waiving inspection requirements and authorizing more crop insurance transactions over the phone and electronically to help producers during the crisis.

“Many state and local governments have issued ‘stay-at-home’ orders and have shut down non-essential businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in market disruptions and preventing in-person crop insurance transactions.”

Friday’s update indicated that, “COVID-19 shutdowns have caused disruption in the milk market, and dairy producers are dumping milk as a result. For the 2020 calendar year, RMA is allowing Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to count dumped milk toward the milk marketings for the DRP or actual marketings for the LGM-Dairy programs regardless of whether the milk was sold. Producers will still have to provide to the AIPs supporting documentation from the cooperative or milk handler verifying the actual pounds dumped and that the milk was dumped.”

“RMA announced other flexibilities on March 27 and April 3, including enabling producers to send notifications and reports electronically, extending the date for production reports, providing additional time and deferring interest on premium and other payments, allowing the use of self-certification replant inspections for certain crops and waiving the witness signature requirement for approval of Assignment of Indemnity. See all RMA Managers Bulletins for more detailed information.”

DTN writer Todd Neeley reported earlier this month that, “The state of Kansas can no longer enforce its so-called ‘ag-gag’ law after a federal judge on [April 3] granted a permanent injunction.

“On Jan. 22, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas, ruled the law was a violation of free speech. Two days later, animal rights groups led by the Animal Legal Defense Fund asked the court to issue a permanent injunction to prevent the state from enforcing the law.

“In motions filed with the court, the state indicated an injunction was not needed because it didn’t intend to enforce provisions deemed to be unconstitutional.”

The DTN article stated that, “‘Although defendants assert that they will abide by the court’s decision, as the law requires, their assertion gives plaintiffs little assurance that future defendants will not enforce the unconstitutional provisions against others who assert their First Amendment rights,’ District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil wrote in the order.”

Mr. Neeley indicated that, “A spokesperson for the Kansas Attorney General’s office told DTN, ‘We are disappointed with the ruling and we will be evaluating the next steps, including whether an appeal is warranted.’

“Ag-gag laws across the country are aimed at thwarting undercover investigations of agriculture facilities in order to protect the business interests and property of farmers. Similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges.”

A news release today from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities.

“‘Spring is the season when most producers have the biggest need for capital, and many may have or are considering putting commodities under loan. Extending the commodity loan maturity affords farmers more time to market their commodity and repay their loan at a later time,’ said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. ‘We are extremely pleased that USDA can offer these marketing flexibilities at this critical time for the agriculture industry and the nation.’

“Effective immediately, producers of eligible commodities now have up to 12 months to repay their commodity loans. The maturity extension applies to nonrecourse loans for crop years 2018, 2019 and 2020. Eligible open loans must be in good standing with a maturity date of March 31, 2020, or later or new crop year (2019 or 2020) loans requested by September 30, 2020. All new loans requested by September 30, 2020, will have a maturity date 12 months following the date of approval.”

The FSA update noted that, “The maturity extension for current, active loans will be automatically extended an additional 3 months. Loans that matured March 31 have already been automatically extended by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers who prefer a nine-month loan will need to contact their local FSA county office. Loans requested after September 30, 2020, will have a term of nine months.”

A news release today from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “[RMA] is authorizing self-certification on replant inspections and waiving witness signatures in certain situations as part of a broader suite of flexibilities to support producers during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) may allow the use of self-certification replant inspections for certain crops with 100 gross acres (before considering share) per unit in lieu of 50 acres, and they may waive the witness signature requirement for approval of Assignment of Indemnity through July 15, 2020, for applicable crop years.

“‘RMA recognizes the challenges the crop insurance industry and America’s farmers and ranchers face,’ RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. ‘We will continue to provide flexibility that supports the health and safety of all parties while also ensuring the Federal crop insurance program continues to serve as a vital risk management tool.’

“Many state and local governments have issued ‘stay-at-home’ orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may prevent loss adjusters from completing on-the-farm replant inspections and obtaining associated signatures required for replant certification purposes. In the absence of ‘stay-at-home’ orders, loss adjusters and policyholders may also be prevented from meeting in person due to concerns of spreading COVID-19.”

Today’s update added that, “For the most current updates on available services, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus. “