The White House recently announced an aid package to help farmers battle the high cost of diesel, as increased fuel prices have added to already elevated expenses on the farm. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on President Trump’s announcement to provide $8 billion in relief for farmers facing higher diesel prices this fall.

“Farmers and ranchers welcome the administration’s announcement of $8 billion in relief through the Harvest Fuel Relief program to help farmers struggling with high diesel prices. We appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins recognizing that higher diesel prices have squeezed farmers’ bottom lines. By building on the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, USDA will be able to quickly deliver this relief to farm country," Duvall said. "We look forward to working with the president and USDA to ensure specialty crop growers, livestock producers, fishermen and others get the support they need so they can continue growing the food America’s families rely on. We also value the president’s continued support for Congress passing a modernized farm bill, allowing year-round E15 and addressing agriculture’s labor needs.”

John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau, talked about the potential impact on farmers.

"How is this going to impact farmers? I think we have to wait until we get into November, and USDA is able to roll out the formulas that we're going to use to determine program payments," Newton said. "We'll need to figure out how we're going to help specialty crop producers, how we're going to help fishermen, and the many other commodities that are likely in need of support, given the high diesel prices that they face."

Newton talked about the amount of relief the $8 billion may provide.

"There are a lot of farmers that are dealing with high diesel prices, and we've been in close communication with champions in the Senate and the House that were seeking as much as 17 to 20 billion dollars in economic support for agriculture, so there's the possibility that Congress could still act.," Newton said.

Newton said there are other steps the administration can take to assist farmers during the busy fall harvest.

"President Trump has already indicated his support for passing a modernized farm bill. He's been on record in his support of year-round E15, and he's also been on record that we need to fix our ag labor challenges," Newton said. "So, we hope that Congress can solve all of those things by the end of the year, and the administration's support in these efforts certainly moves the needle."