According to the USDA, payments for eligible applicants of the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) are expected to start going out later this week. Payments will be set at $54/head for hogs, up to 10,000/producer, sold during pandemic times at spot market sales from April 16-September 1, 2020. The program is expected to pay out 1.16 million hogs, equivalent to $62.8 million in payments. This total figure represents an increase from the original $50 million allocated to the program, negotiated by Ag. Secretary Vilsack.

Read more on the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program.