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
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
“In the first six months of 2025, 181 Chapter 12 bankruptcies were filed nationwide.”
Farmers are in the midst of harvest as the government descends into a shutdown and the Farm Bill expires. Key federal departments, crop reporting, and aid programs important to the agricultural sector are now on hold.
Jeramy Stephens, with National Land Realty, says that despite today’s economic headwinds, farmland remains a resilient asset — and understanding local conditions is key to making sound decisions.
FarmHER Christina Woerner McInnis joined us to discuss the next episode of “FarmHER + RanchHER” and her decision to run for Alabama Ag Commissioner.
The U.S. pork industry is staying vigilant in keeping its supply safe from foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Tidal Grow Agri-Science joins us to celebrate Global Fertilizer Day, sharing how innovation continues to drive American agriculture forward.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is urging Congress and the Trump Administration to act quickly on behalf of American agriculture.
Better yield measurement means fairer grids, more precise breeding targets, and more dollars for truly efficient cattle.
The news immediately caused a drop in equities and commodities, with soybeans down 20 percent in a matter of minutes.