Today, the federal government is open for business.  And while that is good news, there will still be some effects felt for a few days:

• The USDA’s website is up and will be updated over the next few days.  USDA agencies, such as the Farm Service Agency, should be staffed as of this morning.
• Because FSA is staffed, that will allow farmers and ranchers to get checks signed by the FSA, if applicable to their situation.
• Certain statistical reports from the National Agriculture Statistical Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board will be cancelled or delayed because necessary data was not able to be collected during the shutdown.  Cancelled reports are the Crop Production and Cotton Ginnings reports from NASS and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from WAOB, both scheduled for October 11.  The next release date is November 8.  Crop Progress reports scheduled for October 7 and October 15 are cancelled.  The October 18 Cattle on Feed report is postponed.
• The Federal Reserve did release information on the state of the economy, including information from each Federal Reserve district concerning agricultural production.
• No word yet on when direct payments will come out but I would expect those to begin showing up shortly.