US Rice, Cotton Farmers Get Biggest Relief in Trump Bailout
Article 0 Comments The US Department of Agriculture unveiled long-awaited details of its $12 billion aid package for farmers, with American growers of rice and cotton standing to get the biggest payments. But while the payments were welcomed by farmers and industry groups — and fell broadly within expectations — many said the amounts weren’t sufficient to rescue the ailing farm economy. Illinois farmer John Bartman said the payments for corn aren’t even enough to cover seed costs, which can run $50 to $100 per acre. “We can’t even buy a pizza for $30,” he said. President Donald Trump unveiled the package earlier this month, but the relief plan lacked specifics on how much each farmer would be paid. Growers planning for next year’s planting have awaited those details as they face financial pressure from low crop prices, the president’s trade war and high costs for fertilizer, seeds and machinery. The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program includes $11 billion in one-time payments expected by the end of February for farmers of crops ranging from corn and soybeans to peanut and sorghum, as well as $1 billion for sugar and specialty crops. Payments top out at $132.89 per acre for rice and...