With federal lawmakers working on proposals to reauthorize the Agricultural Act of 2014 before the end of September, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last week exchanged priorities for the nation’s 2018 Farm Bill with farmers, ranchers, agricultural researchers, and commodity groups in Fargo, N.D.
“Our agriculture producers have faced some real challenges in recent years, from low commodity prices to natural disasters, which drive home the importance of passing the best Farm Bill possible,” said Sen. Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, during several March 9 meetings with locals and industry stakeholders.
“With farm income down and projected to fall lower, this next Farm Bill takes on even more significance than normal,” said Secretary Perdue, who in January released the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018. Perdue said at the time the document would serve as a road map for Congress on issues such as farm production and conservation, trade and foreign agricultural affairs, food, nutrition and consumer services, and food safety and inspection services, among other topics. “Congress will write the Farm Bill, but USDA will provide whatever counsel they request or require,” the secretary said in Fargo last week.
Sen. Hoeven outlined numerous priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill, including preventing proposed cuts to the crop insurance program. A fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget proposal released by President Donald Trump in February called for cutting the program by $26 billion over a decade.
Additional priorities for the senator include finding long-term solutions that improve the fairness of payments under the USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program, enhancing agricultural research at institutions of higher education like North Dakota State University, advancing rural development, and strengthening drought support through the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program, according to information provided by Hoeven’s office.
“Agriculture is not only a cornerstone of our state’s economy, it’s vital to our nation’s quality of life. The hard work of our nation’s farmers and ranchers helps ensure Americans continue to have access to low-cost, high-quality food,” Sen. Hoeven said.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill reportedly want to have a 2018 Farm Bill ready by the spring. The U.S. House Agriculture Committee is expected to release a draft Farm Bill this month.