Key wants from Senate agriculture panel farm bill field hearing in Michigan...
- Ag stakeholders want: More investment in international development, better crop insurance and a steady agricultural workforce.
- Budget constraints: Senate Ag Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said lawmakers will be forced to “do more with less” when developing the ’18 Farm Bill. Roberts said that while he would like to increase funding, lawmakers will need to find budget savings.
- Expanding crop insurance, including making milk eligible: Panelists listed crop insurance as a top reason why their farms are viable. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said her staff is working with USDA Sec. Perdue to make milk eligible for crop insurance as a separate commodity from livestock... giving dairy farmers more options. Farm and milk groups said the main hurdle to offering more policies is a $20-million cap for the livestock sector.
- Voluntary conservation: Farmers said the Conservation Reserve Program and Environmental Quality Incentives cost-shares have helped them plant cover crops that prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.
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