Well, the government shutdown continues, with the Farm Bill also stalled.  What are the implications for agriculture?

• For a comprehensive look at the government shutdown and expiration of the Farm Bill, FarmPolicy has great rundown.
• Market information is not available from the National Agriculture Statistics Service.
• Direct payments due under programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program are delayed.
• Because the Farm Service Agency is shutdown, any checks requiring an FSA signature will have to held until the government is operational.
• The contingency plans for all USDA offices are now available.
• For those in South Dakota whose experienced livestock losses due to the blizzard, Senator John Thune (R-SD) has information on Livestock Disaster Assistance on his website.  However, due to the expiration of the Farm Bill, assistance may be slow in coming but remember to document your losses for possible future assistance.
• Also from South Dakota, Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) has received “assurances” from Speaker John Boehner that conferees from the House will be appointed within the next week to begin the conference committee on the Farm Bill.  Moreover, Secretary Tom Vilsack has sent a hand-written letter to Speaker Boehner requesting conferees to be appointed from the House.