It seems that agriculture is the only major industry in the United States being hurt by the Trade War with China. Soybeans and Pork seem to be the two ag commodities that have seen the largest price drop. The Market Facilitation Program was announced by Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to make direct payments to farmers dealing with low commodity prices because of the Trade War. The first half of the payments would be made when the program was announced. The USDA would decide in December if the second half were needed.

Secretary Perdue said in November that the USDA would be making the second half of the Market Facilitation Program payment. However, when I called the Le Sueur County Farm Service Agency office Gary said they had not received any "official" notice about the second half of the payment. Then I heard the USDA would make the "official" announcement in December. Quite often I receive email news releases from the USDA. Well, it is December and I am watching for the "official" announcement about the second half of the payment.

 

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