How to Help Farmers
Look to New Zealand:
In 1984, New Zealand's government pulled the plug on all government assistance to farmers, and the catastrophes many predicted never occurred:
Forced to adjust to new economic realities, New Zealand farmers cut costs, diversified their land use, sought non-farm income opportunities and altered production as market signals advised — for example, by reducing sheep numbers and boosting cattle ranching. Farmers were aided on the cost side as input prices fell, because suppliers could no longer count on subsidies to inflate demand.Today, New Zealand's agricultural sector is thriving, and its government is cutting trade deals to give its farmers even greater opportunities. Meanwhile, our government gives farmers billions in handouts while dragging its feet on market-opening deals.