(Le Mars) — Farmers wanting to qualify for the government trade tariff relief payments can now sign up at their local USDA Farm Services Agency office. A few months back, the Trump Administration set up a program to offer assistance to farmers because of the lost revenue as a result of the trade tariffs imposed by President Trump. A total of $12 billion dollars has been made available. Farm Service Agency Director for Plymouth and Sioux Counties, Jeff Davis says the program is set up for hogs and dairy, as well as for corn, soybeans, wheat, and sorghum. He says pork producers may be entitled to up to eight dollars per head, and the dairy program may allow each qualifying producer, on average twelve cents per hundred-weight.
Davis says the USDA allocation payment for crops varies greatly between soybeans and corn.
The F-S-A official says farmers will need to present production records to qualify for the program.
Davis ask that farmers are certain about their harvest production numbers before certification.
Farmers have until January 15th deadline to sign up for the trade tariff relief program.
