The release this week of more than $ 7 billion in farm safety net payments to producers across the nation is welcome news for those hit by low commodity prices. Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says while this is helpful, more needs to be done by Congress to assist producers dealing with the economic downturn.
He’s pleased Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement this week for FSA to distribute those payments to close to 2 million farms.
Hansen says another step that needs to be taken are steps to strengthen the farm safety net and make it more efficient and useful.
The more than $ 7 billion in payments the Ag Department is sending out is more than 10 percent of the projected 2016 net farm income.
