In the second round of Market Facilitation Program payments, the rate for corn was again set at one cent per bushel. According to the National Corn Growers Association, the rate is inadequate to cover losses due to the trade tariffs.”We were sending a lot of dried distillers grains to China,” says Corn Board Chairman Kevin Skunes. “The U.S. was also exporting ethanol, and China was ramping up to receive even more.” Since the tariffs were first announced, an University of Illinois study shows corn farmers have averaged a 44 cent per bushel loss. “That’s over $6 billion just on corn itself.” Skunes, who farms at Arthur, North Dakota, adds many corn farmers also raise soybeans, so “we’re grateful for that $1.65 payment.”
