Government payments to farmers could reach a record $55.4 billion this year. According to Progressive Farmer, that depends on USDA distributing the full $8 billion in Harvest Fuel Relief Program assistance before the end of December. The total would surpass the previous record of $45.6 billion set in 2020. Government payments could account for nearly one-third of projected net farm income. Payments are not expected to begin until late November or early December at the earliest.
