MDA Cost Share Funds For Hog and Turkey COVID-19 Losses

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has another program available to help livestock producers that got caught in the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of processors slowing or shutting down production many pork and turkey producers were forced to depopulate some of the animals in their barns. The MDA's Hog Depopulation Cost Share Program will provide financial assistance to the owners of the hogs. The depopulation must have happened between March 2, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

The MDA's Turkey Market Loss Cost Share Program will provide financial assistance for turkey producers that had to depopulate during the same time period. The depopulations must have been under the supervision and guidance of an accredited veterinarian. Applications for the cost share programs must be received at the MDA by December 1, 2020.

Applications are available on the MDA website or contact David Weinard for the Hog Cost Share: David.weinard@state.mn.us and Kelly Anderson for the Turkey Cost Share: Kelly.anderson@state.mn.us. The funds for these programs came from the CARES Act and is part of a $7.7 million plan announced by Governor Tim Walz.