August 8, 2020

Minnesota's Christensen Farms gets most aid in Iowa hog disposal programme - report

 

Christensen Farms, one of the US' largest family-owned pork producers, reportedly received most of the support money that the state of Iowa has given to farmers who euthanized their hogs amid the crisis brought about by the novel coronavirus outbreaks.

The Associated Press (AP) said in a report earlier this month that Christensen Farms, which is based in Minnesota, received $1.86 million from the Iowa Disposal Assistance Programme, or 72% of the $2.6 million the programme has so far paid. The programme supports farmers who euthonized their hogs as a result of lack of workers and markets as food establishments they cater to closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The AP report said the company received the payment for disposing of 46,599 euthanized hogs, six times as many as the second-highest claimant. The 15 other companies and farmers who received payments reported euthanizing about 18,000 hogs combined.

Christensen Farms has more than half of its operations in Iowa, the country's largest pork-producing state. It has partnerships with almost 200 farms in the state, AP reported.

Coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants greatly slowed down production in April and May, resulting in famers' loss of markets to sell their hogs and no space to keep them. Euthanizing the pigs—a practice that can use gunshots, bolt guns, electrocution or heat—was a last resort.

Christensen Farms said it was grateful for the support from the Iowa programme "as the sector navigates prolonged and unprecedented uncertainty", as per report.

Agriculture department spokeswoman Keely Coppess, meanwhile, said participation in the programme has been lower than anticipated.

She said it was unclear why some filed claims and others did not, adding that only a small fraction of Iowa's estimated 6,200 pig farms had sought payments.