Why Some Farm Payments Are Redacted in USASpending Data
Millions of USDA payment records show "REDACTED" instead of a recipient name. Here's the law behind the redactions and what the data still shows.
July 25, 2026
Articles & Guides
Top USDA Assistance Programs by Total Dollars Paid Out
Which CFDA programs have generated the most total dollars since FY2001? The ranking reveals a lot about how the farm safety net actually works.
July 20, 2026
How Fiscal Year Differs from Calendar Year in USDA Data
USDA operates on a fiscal year that starts October 1. This affects how you should interpret payment data and compare years.
July 15, 2026
The Margin Protection Program for Dairy Farmers
Dairy farms operate on thin margins between milk prices and feed costs. The Dairy Margin Coverage program provides a safety net when that margin compresses.
July 10, 2026
California's Unique Subsidy Profile: Specialty Crops and Drought Aid
California is the nation's largest agricultural state by value, but its specialty-crop focus means its federal payment profile looks very different from the Midwest.
July 6, 2026
Understanding Commodity Payments: Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Cotton
The four major row crops drive the majority of all USDA commodity program payments. Here's how the economics work for each.
July 1, 2026
How the Farm Bill Shapes Today's Subsidy Landscape
Congress writes a new farm bill every five years, setting the structure of all federal agricultural programs. Here's how to read current USDA data in its farm bill context.
June 26, 2026
Missouri's Agricultural Safety Net: A County-by-County Look
Missouri's agricultural diversity — row crops in the north, cattle in the Ozarks, rice and cotton in the southeast — creates a varied federal payment map.
June 21, 2026
What Are Direct Attribution Limits on Farm Payments?
Payment limits cap federal assistance per person, but the rules are more complicated than they appear. Here's how attribution works in practice.
June 16, 2026
South Dakota Beef Cattle Producers and USDA Assistance
South Dakota is one of the country's top beef cattle states. Its USDA payment profile reflects both commodity programs for crops and disaster programs for livestock.
June 11, 2026
How Small Farms Compare to Large Operations in Federal Payments
Federal farm payments are heavily concentrated in large operations. Here's what the data shows and why payment limit rules haven't flattened the distribution.
June 6, 2026
The History of US Farm Subsidies: From the New Deal to Today
Federal farm support has existed for nearly a century. Understanding its history explains why the system looks the way it does today.
June 1, 2026
North Dakota: America's Most Subsidized State Per Farmer?
North Dakota consistently ranks at or near the top for USDA payments per farm. Here's why the Northern Plains model generates such high per-operator payments.
May 27, 2026
How USDA Emergency Loans Work During Droughts
When drought damages crops and cash flow tightens, USDA emergency and operating loans provide a critical bridge. Here's how farmers access them.
May 22, 2026
Minnesota's Farm Subsidy Landscape by County
Minnesota's agriculture spans corn-soybean country in the south, wheat and sugar beets in the northwest, and specialty crops throughout. Its subsidy map is equally varied.
May 18, 2026
What Happens to Subsidies When Farms Change Hands?
Farm sales, inheritances, and lease arrangements all affect subsidy eligibility. Here's how payment rights transfer — and the limits involved.
May 13, 2026
Illinois Corn Subsidies: Numbers Behind the Nation's Second-Largest Corn State
Illinois grows more corn than any state except Iowa. Its subsidy profile reflects the economics of high-yield, high-input corn-soybean production.
May 8, 2026
The Livestock Disaster Assistance Program Explained
When drought, wildfire, or extreme weather damage grazing land or livestock, these USDA programs step in. Here's how they work.
May 3, 2026
Kansas Wheat Farmers and Federal Assistance
Kansas is the nation's leading wheat state, and wheat's economics make it one of the most consistently subsidy-dependent commodities. Here's how the programs work for Kansas farmers.
April 28, 2026
How to Read a USASpending.gov Award Record
USDA payment records contain dozens of fields. Here's what the key ones mean and how SubsidyLookup simplifies the picture.
April 23, 2026