Where Has Farmer Assistance Dollars Gone?

The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, announced by USDA late last year, is $12 billion in economic assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by tariffs and the trade war.  Most of those dollars have now been distributed, and Cameron Castillo, associate economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said they have tracked where those funds have been sent.

“Of the $11 billion allocated through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, we've seen about $9.6 billion go out the door. The states who've received the most in payments, Iowa, Texas, and Illinois, in that order, received the most in payments. Commodities with the most dollars received are corn, soybeans, and wheat.”

Farm Bureau Is Still Waiting On Data

Castillo said specialty crop farmers are still waiting on the $1 billion set aside for their assistance.

"So, as of right now, we are awaiting the April 24 deadline for specialty crop farmers to submit acreage reports for consideration to be a part of the program. And what we have heard from USDA is once those acreage reports are finalized, we will hear more about per commodity payment rates through that program.”

Farmers Need More Assistance, AFBF Notes

While farmers are grateful for the help, Castillo said this likely won’t be enough to offset the economic storm agriculture is still weathering.

"We are still seeing certain commodities that are facing insane per-acre losses. Rice alone, despite payments from FBA and ECAP, they'll still see an average of about $212 per acre in losses. Additional economic aid is very much needed.”

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