Record government subsidies boost income for Iowa, U.S. farmers. Des Moines Register [View all]

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2020/12/04/iowa-farmers-end-year-higher-income-thanks-federal-subsidies-covid-relief/6476298002/


U.S. farmers will end the year with the highest net income since 2013.The strong numbers are mostly due to a record amount of government subsidies, which are estimated to be more than double payments in 2019.

Representing about 39% of the $119.6 billion in farm income, the payments were designed to offset losses from trade wars, the coronavirus pandemic, drought and other natural disasters.

In all, $46.5 billion in government subsidies mostly tied to losses from the public health emergency helped drive 2020 farm income an expected 41% higher than last year, the new USDA report said.

It's the largest percentage of subsidies since 2001, the report said. So far this year, Iowa farmers have been the largest recipient of coronavirus payments, at $1 billion, USDA data show.

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Joni Ernst re-elected. US House 3-1 Dem. to 2-2 or worse 3-1 repubican.