Farm Relief Payments Bring Needed Support, but Gaps Remains

By Zippy Duvall

Farm Relief Payments Offer Immediate Support

USDA’s new $12 billion relief package is welcome news across farm country. These payments will help farm families cover critical operating costs, keep equipment running and secure financing for next season with a little less uncertainty hanging over their heads.

For many farmers, this support isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Trade uncertainty, lower commodity prices and the rising cost to raise a crop have pushed too many operations to the brink. Farmers are grateful to the administration for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or giving up a family farm.

But it’s also important to point out that more work needs to be done. This bridge support is a down payment, and members in Congress have already expressed their desire to fill in the gaps. Consider that many fruit, vegetable, tree nut and nursery growers are facing the same sharp rise in costs and the same instability in the marketplace as the rest of the agricultural community yet they received less than 10% of the bridge support.

For many farmers, this support isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

Farmers have weathered billions in economic losses that have only been partially offset by this bridge support and other Congressional packages. There is more work to do, and Farm Bureau is committed to working with Congress and the administration to provide additional assistance where it is needed.

Economic support provides a much-needed bridge, but it is only one piece of what farmers and ranchers will need to weather this moment.