The U.S. government shutdown has ended, and an ag policy analyst says it will take time for business at the USDA to get back to normal.
Jim Wiesemeyer tells Brownfield “At least they’re back. I think their initial focus is on the food stamp or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Women, Infants and Children Program, and that takes a lot of time to make sure that that money is finally getting back out there.”
Then, he says the focus will be on reports. The USDA said on Thursday the weekly export sales reports would start being released again today, starting with the export sales data from September 25. Export sales reports are expected to be caught up by Christmas. View the schedule.
USDA also says any flash sales that were made during the shutdown will be released alongside the November USDA report, expected on Friday.
Wiesemeyer also says some workers were let go at the USDA due to the shutdown and USDA will have to rehire workers.
President Trump signed the continuing resolution Congress passed on Wednesday that would restore funding for USDA for the entire fiscal year. Wiesemeyer says a full-year appropriation was a smart move.
“Now we won’t be at the mercy of the January 30th cutoff date that if they have to have another agreement.
The continuing resolution also prevents a lapse in other farm bill provisions, extends the U.S. Grain Standards Act and could also provide more funding for state meat inspections.
Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn tells Brownfield she’s awaiting more details.
“We have a waiting list of (processing) businesses that would like to open in the state of Missouri, so any extra funding that we can have to help support those businesses is a welcome sight.”
Brownfield interviewed Wiesemeyer and Chinn at the Missouri Governor’s Ag Conference in mid-Missouri.
