WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Bush administration wants to wait for the harvest of this year’s crops before deciding whether to increase the millions of aid dollars going to drought-stricken farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Thursday he wants to “see what the combines tell us” about the coming harvest.

Earlier this week, Johanns promised aid that includes $50 million to hard-hit livestock producers. In all, the drought money would provide $79 million in relief funds and accelerate $700 million in planned payments to cotton, grain sorghum and peanut farmers.

Some critics say the aid falls far short of the need. A separate $4 billion drought-aid plan is pending in the Senate.

The administration strongly dislikes the Senate plan, in part because it would go only to those who already get subsidies, about four in 10 farmers.

Johanns noted Thursday that drought has failed to significantly dampen overall production of major crops like corn and soybeans.

The corn crop is expected to approach records, according to the latest forecasts from the department. Soybean yields are below trend but above the five-year average, and together the crops should generate $42 billion in production, Johanns said.