As Northern Plains livestock producers get their first round of drought relief payments, crop farmers are still waiting for more details from the Farm Service Agency on disaster relief. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the USDA is expected to provide more details to farmers this month on how the new WHIP+ program works. “By June, folks should be signing up and the aid going to farmers.” Hoeven is surprised it’s taken this long to implement the disaster aid. Why has it taken so long? “I had the very same question for Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack when I met with him. Vilsack said part of the problem was getting the program through the Office of Management and Budget. Vilsack also said it took USDA longer to announce the program, but delivery should be faster. USDA should be able to announce how the program will work this month and get it out of the door next month.”
