Administration suggests keeping direct payments if recipients are limited to those in need

This week during White House budget meetings, the Obama administration made an important announcement about its position on agricultural subsidies and direct payments, which some farm interests have indicated a willingness to eliminate. "The administration favors basing farm programs on producer need, and intends to push that approach for future program cuts," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters.

Obama suggests limiting direct payments "to folks who need it the most," Vilsack said, denying them only to farmers with off-farm income over a half a million dollars or those with large, diversified operations. He said these organizations can rely on crop insurance. (Read more, from FarmPolicy.com)