At last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention, NCGA President Ron Litterer did a number of interviews including one with me about the farm bill.
In the picture Ron’s being interviewed by one of the many farm broadcasters that came by the NCGA booth.
I asked Ron where things stand from a corn grower perspective. It was really dark in the room so I apologize for the quality of the video but it works. I’m also posting the audio of the interview separately for you.
Listen to Ron Litterer Interview here:
Ron says he feels good that the Senate ag committee has put forward a revenue based proposal but that it would have been nice to see crop insurance integration included. Ron mentions the cloture vote that failed last week so it looks like it’s time for some more debate after the holiday.
The National Corn Growers Association is urging its members nationwide to call their Senators on Thursday October 18 and talk to them about what they would like to see in the 2007 Farm Bill.
“Right now the committee is scheduled to markup the farm bill Oct. 23,” said NCGA President Ron Litterer. “This is the time to let our senators on the agriculture committee know that producers should decide whether to stay with the existing program or utilize a revenue program. It is important to give farmers an option to choose the safety net program that works best for them. Call from Combine is an excellent vehicle for making the voices of the grassroots heard.”
Members nationwide are asked to contact their senators and ask them to include an optional, state-based, revenue countercyclical program in the farm bill.
It is also important to note that the state-based revenue countercyclical program (RCCP) option will not cost additional federal dollars because participating farmers agree to changes in direct payments and in exchange will have a better risk management tool, more affordable crop insurance premiums and at higher levels of coverage.
For more information about Call from the Combine, go to www.ncga.com.
Senate Agriculture Committee action on the 2007 Farm Bill was delayed again this week, with Ag Committee Chairman Tom Harkin citing “scheduling difficulties” as the reason for further postponing mark-up.
The ag committee was waiting on the Senate Finance Committee to markup the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007 which will extend some tax incentives for renewable energy; establish the Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund, a permanent disaster program; give beginning farmers and rural development some assistance; and provide funding for the 2007 Farm Bill.
Funding is THE main issue for the 2007 Farm Bill and everyone is asking for a bigger piece of the pie. The National Wildlife Federation, for example, is asking for an increase of six-billion dollars for conservation funding while the National 25x’25 Alliance wants more energy funding.
At this point, it appears the Farm Bill will now wait until after the Columbus Day recess, probably the week of October 22 – maybe longer. The 2002 Farm Bill has already expired but a temporary extension was passed authorizing funding until November 16.
Maybe if the Senate spent more time this week working on the farm bill and less time worrying about what Rush Limbaugh did or didn’t say it would be done by now. I’m sorry, but Rush is a talk show host, that’s his job. Our Senators need to do their jobs.
As was pretty much expected the Senate didn’t get a farm bill passed before the 2002 Farm Bill expired yesterday. They’ve got some more work to do apparently. Go to the Senate Ag Committee homepage and there’s not a word about it. Of course their “Today in Agriculture” section is showing as its latest item one that’s dated July 2. That might tell you something.
A coalition of groups, including the NCGA, has sent the Senate a letter asking them to get the job done.
The groups ranged from farm commodity groups such as NCGA to conservation groups, hunger relief organizations, such as School Nutrition Association, and faith-based action groups. In addition to agricultural programs, the farm bill also authorizes and funds a number of conservation and nutrition programs.“While our organizations have differences on specific policy recommendations,” the letter noted, “we believe it is vitally important that the Senate Agriculture Committee mark up and pass a 2007 Farm Bill as soon as possible.”
At last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention, NCGA President Ron Litterer did a number of interviews including one with me about the farm bill.
The 
The ag committee was waiting on the Senate Finance Committee to markup the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007 which will extend some tax incentives for renewable energy; establish the Agricultural Disaster Relief Fund, a permanent disaster program; give beginning farmers and rural development some assistance; and provide funding for the 2007 Farm Bill.