MONROE — USDA launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities have until Feb. 14 to sign up for participation of the Market Facilitation Program. 

Originally, the MFP program was to end on Jan. 15. However, due to the government shutdown, the signup for this program has now been extended. 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency has been administrating MFP to provide payments to corn, dairy, hog, soybean and wheat producers. The sign-up period for MFP runs through Feb. 14. MFP provides payments to producers of eligible commodities who have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports. 

Applications will be taken in the producer’s recording county. It is helpful for producers to know their overall production or livestock inventories at the signup, however the deadline to report production or livestock inventory is May 1. If producers have questions, they should contact their local FSA office where their records are located, or contact the Green County Office in Monroe at 608-325-4195 ext. 2 for additional information.