Farmers Left in the Lurch: USDA Stands Firm on Aid

Farmers across the U. S. are in a tough spot. They're dealing with low crop prices, high costs for things like fertilizer, and the fallout from trade wars. The USDA recently announced a $12 billion aid package to help ease the pain. But farmers say it's not enough to fix the problems they're facing. The USDA knows the aid won't solve everything. They're not even sure if they can do more. They're waiting to see what happens next year. For now, they're sticking with the current plan.The aid package is split into two parts. $11 billion is for big crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. The other $1 billion is for fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops. But the USDA hasn't figured out exactly how to hand out that $1 billion yet. They're asking farmers for their input. The USDA says the aid is just a temporary fix. They're hoping new supports from the Trump tax and spending bill will kick in soon. These include higher reference prices for crops. But farmers aren't sure if that will be enough to save their businesses. Farm losses this year could hit $44 billion. That's a huge number. It shows just how bad things are for farmers. The USDA's aid package is a start, but it's not clear if it will be enough to turn things around.