Farmers Get Aid
The U.S. Agriculture Department announced Wednesday $125 million in direct cash payments to dairy farmers hurt by low prices and $500,000 to help small farmers and ranchers market and export their products.
The money is in addition to $200 million distributed last summer.
The Dairy Market Loss Assistance program provides payments based on an operation’s milk production in 1997 or 1998. Eligible dairy farmers who did not participate in the program last summer must sign up at their local Farm Service Agency offices or USDA Service Centers from Jan. 24 to Feb. 28, 2000.