The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is opening the application process for the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program, a $500 million initiative designed to support independent and regional beef processors and preserve processing capacity for U.S. ranchers.
Beginning Aug. 10, the USDA will email partially pre-filled applications to eligible processing establishments. The Farm Service Agency is administering the program at the national level using Food Safety and Inspection Service data to identify eligible processors and calculate payment amounts.
Eligible applicants include federally inspected beef processing establishments and facilities participating in the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program or the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. Processing establishments must be operational when they submit their applications.
University- and state-owned facilities, along with the nation's four largest beef processors, are not eligible to receive SPUR payments.
To participate, processors must obtain a Unique Entity ID through SAM.gov and submit completed applications by Sept. 11. The USDA also plans to host an informational webinar on Aug. 11 to review program requirements and the application process.
The USDA says the program is intended to bolster independent processing capacity at a time when the U.S. beef industry continues to face historically tight cattle supplies and increasing pressure on regional processors.
