Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 6/9/20

Now that USDA is pumping out relief checks to ag producers through its $16 billion farm stimulus program, the department is posting weekly updates on where the money is going, by state and sector. Here’s how it’s unfolding so far:

— No surprise: Livestock producers have taken in the most money, or about $676 million, your host reports. They’re followed by row crop growers and dairy farmers, each receiving more than $300 million, while growers of specialty crops like fruits, nuts and vegetables saw less than $25 million.

— Most of the payments have gone to Midwestern farmers in states like Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Kansas. On the other end of the scale, USDA hasn’t yet approved a single dollar to Alaska, Delaware or Rhode Island.

— Delaware discrepancy? While only three Alaska farms have applied for aid so far, and none in Rhode Island, more than 70 ag operations in Delaware did apply. (USDA didn’t respond to a request for more information about the numbers.)

Stay tuned: The weekly reports offer some transparency into the stimulus program, which is similar to the department’s trade bailout — an effort that was criticized by some lawmakers including Senate Ag’s top Democrat, Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), and watchdog groups, who claimed it unfairly boosted certain farms over others. The coronavirus farm payments are likely to receive as much or more scrutiny, especially in a presidential election year when Trump needs to maintain strong support in the Midwest.