By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Farm bill progress, cattle fever ticks and trade topped the list of issues Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) President Russell Boening discussed with congressional leaders earlier this week in Washington, D.C.
Boening met with Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz on Monday.
“Farmers and ranchers are preparing for 2019 and making some important decisions, especially as planting nears for farmers in the Rio Grande Valley,” Boening said.
He stressed the need for certainty and the importance of the 2018 Farm Bill to all Texans.
“We talked about what’s needed for agriculture,” Boening said. “Net farm income is down, and agriculture needs the certainty of a farm bill. Thankfully, movement on the farm bill has been happening this week, and we’re hopeful for new legislation before Christmas.”
Funding for cattle fever tick eradication and rancher assistance is included in the farm bill.
“This is important, not just for Texas ranchers, but cattlemen and women across the nation,” Boening said. “The fever tick, and the disease it carriers, has the capability to cripple the cattle industry.”
Both Cornyn and Cruz, along with other Texas congressional leaders, played a significant role in adding cattle fever tick provisions in the farm bill, Boening noted.
“Texas is the number one cattle state in the nation, and Senator Cornyn and Senator Cruz understand that livelihood needs to be protected for our state’s ranchers and the health of the cattle industry across the nation,” Boening said. “We’re thankful for their support in securing those funds.”
Trade, an issue that has received much attention throughout the year, was also discussed during the meetings.
Boening noted the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), though not perfect, is good news for Texas agriculture. The trade deal still needs approval from the U.S. Congress, as well as Mexican and Canadian lawmakers.
Boening, along with other state Farm Bureau presidents from across the county, attended the signing ceremony for the new clean water rule.
“We are very grateful to the administration for working to enact a rule that actually considers the concerns of farmers and ranchers, especially when it comes to our private property rights,” Boening said.
The visits and meetings this week have helped keep agriculture at the forefront of conversations and negotiations.
“Now is an important time to be here in D.C. discussing these top issues like the farm bill and trade,” Boening said. “The relationships we have with our congressional leaders allow us to stress how vital these issues are to Texas farmers and ranchers.”