21.   He noted that tobacco farmers received generous government assistance in the event that hail destroys their crops.

22.   If oil is struck, the farmers will receive one of every eight barrels that is produced, which is a customary provision.

23.   In return, farmers receive deficiency payments representing the difference between the price they get for their crops and arbitrary, invariably higher target prices that Congress sets.

24.   In truth, the debate over whether farmers should receive government aid is more complicated.

25.   Instead, farmers would receive fixed, slightly lower payments for seven years.

26.   Instead, farmers would receive fixed, but declining, payments over the next seven years.

27.   Last week farmers received their checks for the milk they delivered in February.

28.   Meanwhile, Coverdell pledged to make available emergency congressional funding so farmers could receive federal disaster aid.

29.   Midwestern lawmakers like Sen. Byron L. Dorgan of North Dakota were pushing for a ceiling on payments that would allow more farmers to receive smaller payments.

30.   On the other hand, Canadian grain farmers receive government subsidies and other supports to tide them over during years when wheat prices are depressed.