Good stuff, as always.

SUBSIDIES also support some area of agriculture. It is a less than straightforward system. Like, support peanut farmers by providing peanut butter to schools at a better break point. A ready market thru the school lunch program.

Production of grains in this country depend on farmers getting loans to buy the seed. And who can find $1 in their own bank account to buy that one big piece of equipment. Their margin of profit is ridiculously low. And this is how prices are kept down. AND why the producers need to sell to other countries to drive up the prices here.

( Im all for letting these fields go back to grasses and run a few head of cattle for the grass-fed beef market.)