More Reasons To Cut Direct Payments

Des Moines Register:

 There’s new evidence from the government about just how good a year this has been for farmers and agribusiness. Agriculture Department economists estimated today that net farm income will be up 28 percent this year and reach $100.9 billion, which would mark the first time that measure of agricultural profitability has ever exceeded $100 billion. The rise in farm income is being fueled by higher commodity prices across a broad array of crops and livestock. Cash receipts for corn are estimated at $60 billion, a 34 percent increase from last year. Oil crops, including soybeans, are estimated to reach $38 billion, up more than 8 percent. Wheat returns will be up nearly 30 percent to 13.1 billion.
Cash receipts on cotton will be  nearly 31 percent higher, according to USDA.

As Congress faces the expiration of the Farm Bill and record federal deficits, I don't see how they keep direct payments.  Keep crop insurance subsidies (as opposed to direct payments), keep countercyclical support, but let the direct payments go.  Here in Western Ohio we're only looking at about $20 an acre anyway, nowhere near the $500 or so it costs to put out an acre of corn.  But, 2012 is an election year, and lots of farmers vote (especially in the low-population states with nearly as many Senators as Representatives), so I wouldn't be surprised to see the direct payments continue, in spite of the nation's budget problems.  Government is bad, unless it benefits your constituents.