Texas A & M University published its analysis of the Trump Administration’s trade aid program. The study authors say even though the highest county payment rates on the market facilitation program were mostly in counties with cotton production, almost 70 percent of MFP payments went to Midwest State’s producers. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says that’s a bit misleading because the per county payment rates are not as important as the per acre rates.
He says even though there are problems with the MFP distribution, there’s no doubt farmers are struggling economically and need any help they can get.
Lehman who just got back from the NFU national convention heard from Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue who he says tried to put a positive spin on the ag economy.
The Texas A & M analysis said that the two years of MFP payments in 2018 and 2019 protected $16.4 million in net worth from 2018-2020. Under baseline conditions without MFP, 35 of those 63 farms had a greater than 50 percent chance of ending 2020 with negative cash balances.
