The timing and structure of farm aid payments have ag economists worried

Disaster aid is vital for many farms and ranches across the United States, but some are concerned with the timing of those payments, saying many farmers are left carrying a heavy burden.

Last December, Congress approved billions of dollars in disaster aid for farmers, but those checks did not start clearing until recently, with some producers having to wait until next month before that relief arrives. Economists at Texas A&M say crop protection tools are also failing, despite a big financial boost in the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

Some producers are left with losses exceeding $100/acre, with ARC and PLC only covering 37 percent of that. They are calling for stronger trade deals and more ethanol markets to help keep farms afloat.

Related Stories
UT Extension’s Charles Denney visits a Weakley County farm to see how growers and University of Tennessee Extension specialists are working to expand canola production in the Volunteer State.
USDA’s July WASDE report projects the smallest U.S. wheat crop since 1970, tighter corn stocks, stronger soybean exports, larger cotton supplies, and higher cattle prices.
South Texas producers remain on alert for New World screwworm, stressing that reporting suspected cases is key to expanding sterile fly releases and slowing its spread.
New revenue protection coverage will be available in select counties across 12 states beginning with the 2027 crop year.