Some farmers may see a delay in the second round of trade aid payments as Farm Service Agency offices will close Monday, running out of budget due to the partial government shutdown. USDA Under Secretary Bill Northey says the impact of those payments is substantial, especially for soybeans farmers, so the delay will hurt.
Northey says it was hard to get the formula for figuring the impact of the tariffs perfect and be equitable to all farmers affected.
The Under Secretary is also optimistic about a deal with China in 2019 and there is no plan for an additional trade aid program in the new year.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said the MFP payments would only be made during the first week of the government shutdown. If the shutdown continues, FSA will likely have to extend the application deadline for payments, which is currently January 15.
