Farm Bill Clarified
Yesterday we had a little fun at the expense of Ron Abbott, Farm Programs Chief for the Farm Service Agency in Idaho. The facts are that the language in the Farm Bill is very complicated and appears to be ever-changing as politicians take second looks and incoming administrations add their alterations. But here are a few things we know. Ron Abbott.
“It is a safety net. This farm bill contains permanent disaster legislation which the others lacked. It will support a farmer or give him the means to keep operating if his farm is involved in a total calamity… 50% loss of income. A producer doesn’t have to wait for a year or 2 or 3 after a loss in order to begin making application.”
(Abbott) “Price support provisions pretty much unchanged. Gives them operating capital while they search for a better market.”
(Abbott) In general a producer is eligible for a payment or to participate in a program if the average adjusted gross non-farm income exceeds $500,000, then the producer is not eligible for commodity price support and disaster assistance programs.”
(Abbott) “If the farm income exceeds ¾ of a million dollars then the producer can’t get paid under the DCP program.”
