Hog Farmers' Sign-Up Underway

August 12, 1999

Sign-up for a share of the $100 million second payment of the "small hog operation payment program" has begun. Small and medium sized hog farmers will begin to receive money from the program around mid-August.

Sing-up began Monday. Hog farmers who received earlier payments will automatically receive the new payment this month and are not required to reapply or fill out additional paperwork. Farmers seeking payments for the first time will receive checks within a few weeks of their signing up.

Some $50 million already has been paid to hog farmers earlier this year. USDA also has increased pork purchases, promoted increased pork exports and extended additional financial protection to hog farmers, says Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger.