Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Tuesday that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is extending the financial assistance offered through the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program to pork producers who were forced to euthanize their animals due to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions before the program launched on May 26. Producers can start applying for retroactive funding, which includes hogs that were euthanized between May 1 and May 25.

COVID-19-related worker shortages are causing meat processing facilities to reduce production. Iowa State University estimates that, as of mid-May, approximately 600,000 pigs in Iowa were unable to be harvested.

"COVID-19 is causing ongoing disruptions to the food supply chain. Pork producers are going to extraordinary lengths to find solutions but it's not enough to make up for the backlog happening on farms," says Secretary Naig. "Euthanasia is a very difficult decision for producers to make and is always used as a last resort. The disposal assistance program just one way the state is trying to help producers during this challenging time."

The Department is offering producers $40 per approved animal to help cover some of the disposal costs for market-ready hogs (weighing at least 225 pounds). Producers must provide documentation, including proof of proper disposal, and an affidavit from their herd veterinarian confirming impending welfare issues, to receive funding. Each approved applicant may receive funding for up to 30,000 animals per round, depending on the number of applicants.

To qualify for retroactive funding (Round 0), producers must submit their applications to the Iowa Department of Agriculture between June 9 and June 22. Applicants will be notified of approval by June 24. To qualify for Round 0 funding, producers must have euthanized animals between May 1 and May 25. Disposal claims must be received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture by June 29, and proof of proper disposal must be submitted by July 6.

Pork producers can also apply for Round 3 assistance between June 9 and June 22. Applicants will be notified of approval by June 24. To qualify for Round 3 funding, producers must euthanize animals between June 9 and June 26. Disposal claims must be received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture by June 29, and proof of proper disposal must be submitted by July 6.

Questions about the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program can be directed to (515) 281-5321 or [email protected].

Source: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, who are solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly own the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.