Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says details will be out soon on an aid package approved by Congress for farmers and ranchers. He says the first round of payments will range from $16 billion to $18 billion. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Anna Johnson says producers are suffering economically and need any assistance they can get, so it’s encouraging those details are forthcoming.

She says the payment protection program’s funds have already run out so the hope is money for that program will be replenished by the next CARES package.

Perdue said U SDA will also be buying as much as $3 billion in food products such as pork, dairy, fruits and vegetables for aid programs. Johnson says that’s also badly needed in Rural America.

The Ag Secretary also promised that more ag assistance will be coming out this summer.