Don't celebrate too much guys - they are redesigning the program and they have pumped umteen millions into each state and are leaning on the states to stay with the program! The new estimated cost is over $5500 for a farm with 10 or more animals for a start up cost.
Don't let rose colored glasses become fixture.
BUT - if we keep up the fight, they will give in eventually!
Attached is the USDA's fact sheet that I copied so I could highlight key points and make comments. A whole lot of double talk and note they will STILL be able to fund the states. I know for a fact they have money left over from previous years but am not sure exactly how much but it is somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 billion.
We will have to watch our state Ag Depts and the Federal Register closely for months, if not the entire year.
This might actually be OK if Vilsack could terminate Hammerschmidt, Weimers, et al. I have learned via the school of hard knocks that these men are not to be trusted AT ALL. If they are given any leeway to run this program again we will be right back where we started. Hopefully Vilsack realizes they have been the biggest problem and will put the fear of God into them.
This is also rather interesting about the USDA's 2011 budget:
USDA's 2011 Budget
In a nutshell, any of us who shows, ships or sells across state lines will have to participate in this program, whatever it ends up to be.