Farm Aid Deal Reached; Final Vote Any Day

Congressional negotiators on Wednesday agreed on a $15 billion farm assistance package that would cut the cost of crop insurance and compensate growers for a third consecutive year of low commodity prices.

The package also includes $5.5 billion in direct payments, which would reach farmers by Sept. 30, just in time for this year’s congressional campaigns. Another $8.2 billion would be earmarked to help reduce premiums on federally subsidized crop insurance over the next five years. House and Senate approval on the package could come as early as today.