USDA Out With Details Regarding Trade Damage Estimate Calculations

USDA has issued details of how it calculated the estimated damage from trade disruptions in this latest support package for farmers announced in July.  Two years of trade damage methodology reports for 2018 and 2019 are featured on the home page of USDA's Office of the Chief Economist.  Farm Service Agency Administrator, Richard Fordyce, said the Market Facilitation Program's rates took many pieces of information in to consideration.

“And that county's specific, rate was developed by using the historical planted acres by commodity in that county historical yields of those commodities, in that county and then applying a factor that represents or reflects the amount of trade disruption/trade damage by commodity.”

To see the list of all the unique county rates check out the Market Facilitation Payment Website, and select "How Do Payments Work".

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