Yes, mostly we pay them not to plant to keep prices up. It is even done with corn right now for the upcoming season despite increased demand from ethanol production.
You have to belong to an elite club to even be ALLOWED to grow freakin PEANUTS!!
Ask jummah...
That is not exactly true. As I live right here in the middle of Rice, and Soybean production in Arkansas (and this year - record corn planting), and most of the people I know are either farmers or have business with farmers, your assessment isn't exactly correct.
I know of no farmers paid to not plant. Every acre available is planted. The subsidies are paid in a variety of ways - but mostly as direct supports.
The only fields that don't get planted are either due to the farmer getting behind, or because the field is going through a normal "rest" in the crop rotation cycle.
But I do agree with the sentiment of your post - I believe all farm subsidies should be eliminated. Let the farmers plant what they want. Let them sink or swim based on their production and business decisions. There are already incentives to plant more in-demand crops (like corn and now soybeans). Allow the market to dictate the crops and production needs.
Of course, the real crooks in the farm industry are the grain mills that make their biggest profit by docking farmers for "imperfections" in the crop (weed seed, moisture, etc.).
My head is twisting like the Excorcist girl's!
Whaaaat is going on in this country?
Guess its those dynamic twins: Greed and Avarice.