Farm Bureau President shares thoughts on aid payments

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – The Trump administration has announced another round of aid payments for farmers hurt by the trade war. It will be figured on a county basis in each county and payments will go to those who plant a crop. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says while some people will be helped by the assistance, there will be many in the Northern Plains that won’t be helped because they won’t be able to plant a crop due to wet conditions and earlier flooding.

VanderWal says the only option some producers will have is prevent plant. He says that doesn’t provide a profit and that they are working with the government to make a change in harvest and planting rules.

VanderWal says if they could get that date change and be able to harvest forage earlier that would be very helpful.

VanderWal says most farmers would rather have trade than aid but with the low commodity prices, flooding and blizzard impacts and no end to the trade war, any assistance is badly needed.