Will Farmers Get More Federal Aid?

Senate Ag Chair John Boozman said in a recent interview that more farm aid will likely be needed this year, but can’t say how much yet.

“With high input costs, very low commodity prices, our markets not being as good as we’d like, it’s made it very, very difficult," Boozman said.  "So, I think the commitment’s there. I think Congress will step up. The question is just how much.”

Boozman would not offer a figure in that Agri-Pulse interview, while House Ag Chair GT Thompson says at least $10 billion more on top of the pending $11 or $12 billion.  All of this while USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce said  his agency is not considering more farm aid.

Boozman agrees that money is a limiting factor.

“What do we do? Can’t keep throwing money at it," Boozman said.  "How do we increase our markets? What do we do to get farmers into a sustainable position?”

Boozman said that the Senate Ag Committee will hold a hearing or two on the issue in the coming weeks.  Meantime, he said USDA and Capitol Hill will factor in existing aid, and the coming boost in farm supports to determine the unmet need.

It’s estimated that farmers lost roughly $44 billion last year.

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