Ag sector slump makes strong farm bill vital, say two biggest farm groups

As lawmakers gather ideas for the 2018 farm bill, the two largest U.S. farm groups say one thing is clear:  it’s not the time to reduce funding for the bill and its vast array of USDA activities, from crop supports to food stamps. Commodity prices have been in a trough since 2013, so “many of America’s farmers and ranchers are struggling,” says the American Farm Bureau Federation, while the National Farmers Union said the drop in farm income threatens the survival of beginning farmers.

“We should increase the dollars in the agricultural budget to make effective farm legislation,” said the NFU board in a resolution. But there are reports that cuts are being considered in the House. The cuts would be comparatively small compared to overall funding for the farm bill, but there are few details of which programs would be pared back. The Farm Bureau board sent a letter to the Republican chairmen of the Senate and House Agriculture committee saying the farm bill should “protect current farm bill spending,” which would mean no cuts.

The 2018 farm bill ought to continue to link the farm program with food stamps in a single bill, said the Farm Bureau. Top priority for funding should go to federally subsidized crop insurance and crop subsidies. The board said the farm bill should increase the price floor for most crops and reduce the premium that dairy farmers must pay for the insurance-like Margin Protection Program while altering the formula so indemnities are more likely.

“Unfortunately, American family farmers and ranchers are in the midst of a farm crisis and there is no end in sight,” said the NFU Board. “The farm safety net is failing to address these very dire farm economics.” The NFU cited the dairy program as an example of the shortcomings of the 2014 farm law.

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