U.S. Net Farm Income and Government Payments Remain High.

A line chart that shows net farm income (before government payments) and government payments to farmers from 1996 to 2005. Net farm income before subsidies was $47.6 billion in 1996, declined to $25.0 billion in 2000, grew to a forecasted $59.1 billion in 2004, and dropped to a forecasted $40.3 billion in 2005. Government payments to farmers totaled $7.3 billion in 1996, jumped to $22.9 billion in 2000, diminished to $11.0 billion in 2002, increased to a forecasted $14.5 billion in 2004, and peaked at a forecasted $24.1 billion in 2005.

Source: Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture