Record government subsidies boost income for Iowa, U.S. farmers. Des Moines Register

[IADEMO2004]

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.

[modrepub]

1. Blue State to Red State Transfer

Meanwhile, my parents complain about food prices continuing to rise. Our whole food system seems to be non-functional. We pay out huge subsidies to farmers and our food prices continue to go up. Never does a mention of "socialism" come up in any discussion.

[exboyfil]

7. The subsidies have little to do with food prices

They go to make corn and soy beans, much of which is converted to fuel or exported.

Like you said it is a direct wealth transfer. Being in the industry is a lot like being a defense contractor. The same people receiving tens of thousands of dollars from the federal government complain about blacks buying grapes with Food Stamps.

In Iowa we are still less radical than North Dakota. Almost everyone one of my in laws relatives have dumped on my in laws for voting Biden.

In Iowa our food prices have been pretty stable. Actually I am a little shocked as we leverage the specials to get good deals. It could be the basket of our goods (skinless chicken breast, sirloin steak, and shrimp being our most expensive items). We have specials all the time on eggs and milk. Grocery store prices are usually the same or lower than the Farmers Market, but we buy from the FM when we can as we try to spread our purchases around to the smaller growers.

My mom's food in Florida is probably 10 to 20% more than ours in Iowa.

[exboyfil]

2. Probably what made Wisconsin so close

My daughter insisted on buying a condo this year (my other daughter bought her house about three years ago). I would have preferred that my daughter continue to live at home and wait and see what happens. Our housing market is hot right now. If I was in position to do it, I would dump my house right now and rent.

I do think the condo could be a good inflation hedge which I think is going to be high on those things you need to live.

[demosincebirth]

3. "socialisism" which most farmers decry

[DonaldsRump]

5. Spot on!

[DonaldsRump]

4. I hope Joe requires them to give folks in need free food as part of the debt repayment

Assuming there is debt repayment.

[rso]

6. Iowa

And yet, these people constantly rail against “socialism”. The very height of irony.

[orwell]

8. Welfare Kings...

....pull yourself up by your bootstraps...freedom...get off the dole...Cadillac corn farmers...gubmint moochers...

Oh that's right - It's OK if You're A RepubliCon

[Karadeniz]

9. I believe Romney called this paying for votes.

[IADEMO2004]

10. BINGO! Just don't say that in iowa coffee shops.