“This is everything Farmers Union has worked on for months,” said NDFU President Mark Watne. “When other groups were telling us payments wouldn’t happen, we stood up and said, ‘It has to happen.’

“We appreciate Sen. (John) Hoeven’s leadership efforts on behalf of family farmers.”

With net farm income plummeting for a sixth consecutive year and crop markets devastated by a trade war with China, farmers will receive payments for every commodity covered under Title 1 of the Farm Bill, regardless of what crops they produce in 2019, according to USDA. Every county in the nation has been assigned a payment rate that ranges from $15 to $150.

“If the trade war continues, this will be the beginning of payments farmers will need for survival,” noted Watne. “This payment isn’t peanuts. It will make a difference.”

Producers can sign up for MFP payments starting Monday, July 29, thru Friday, Dec. 6. Fifty percent of the payment will be distributed in mid-to-late August. If market conditions and trade opportunities improve, payments will be discontinued. If market conditions don’t improve, 25% of the payment will be paid in November and the final 25% in early January.

To learn more about payment rates, crops and livestock covered, and payment limitations, go to farmers.gov.