Farm Bill
“We don’t need to rewrite the entire farm bill,” Rep. Thompson (R-Pa.) says. “We’re comfortable with many parts of the 2018 bill and there aren’t many tweaks, instead things we need to protect and invest in.”
“We can’t prioritize one natural resource concern over all others and we shouldn’t prioritize one solution above all others,” Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) said.
Rep. Thompson signaled he wants to hear “commitment from everyone, including the president, that we will get this done and in the manner I’ve been speaking about. Bipartisan, bicameral, on time and highly effective.’”
More than 75% of the farm bill is reserved for nutrition and SNAP. Congressmembers are looking to tighten the reins on SNAP benefits that “cost taxpayers billions and contribute to the nation’s obesity,” says Sen. Rubio.
Lenders In the hearing seemed to agree on a boost to lending limits in USDA guaranteed loans as lawmakers ready for the next farm bill.
The reason for the shift is rooted in financial improvements, according to James Mintert, professor in the Department of Ag Economics at Purdue.
Two recent studies confirm the notion that greater use of conserving practices such as no-till and cover cropping can reduce the incidence of prevented planting under the federal crop insurance program.
During Thompson’s presentation at a crop insurance event, he was passionate about getting a farm bill done, but acknowledged several hurdles that he said could be overcome in a bipartisan approach.
Congress’s ag committees on Monday received a letter, urging them to prioritize ag research infrastructure in the farm bill. According to a report, universities need a $50 billion ag research infrastructure overhaul.
Here we go again. Some farmers and at least one farm-state lawmaker want to move back to payments based on planted and not base acres.