Farmers need USDA help

Farmers need USDA help

USA Today
Guest editorial by AFBF President Zippy Duvall

The Agriculture Department on Tuesday announced a $12 billion package to help farmers and ranchers deal with the consequences of a trade war not of our making. Given no other alternatives, it was the right thing to do.  The situation we face is bad and getting worse. Major commodities such as corn and soybeans have plunged 20 percent since this trade war began in May. Farm income — already off by half compared with four years ago — has turned to real losses across farm country.  Farming often means high stakes and low margins…Cash payments announced Tuesday will help many farmers avoid default or even foreclosure, so more of the people who feed us can continue doing so. The assistance package will buy us time while working to end the trade war.