On The Map

Geographic distribution of government payments as a proportion of gross cash income from farming. A substantial proportion of government payments to farmers is based on historical production of specific commodities, such as corn, oilseeds, wheat, rice, and cotton. Thus, payments represent a higher share of cash income in those areas of the country where production of these commodities is concentrated. Government payments to farmers were a record $24.3 billion in 2005, making them a significant component of farm income in many crop-growing regions of the country.