By Julie Tomascik
Editor

With the clock ticking on the current farm bill, which expires on Sept. 30, farmers and ranchers took advantage of the August recess to meet with Congressional lawmakers about the farm safety net.

“The farm bill is the biggest piece of agricultural legislation that’s passed in Washington, and we want to make sure to modernize that bill to encompass the current challenges farmers and ranchers face,” TFB Associate Director of Government Affairs Laramie Adams said.

The legislation is reviewed every five years to provide the opportunity to update programs to remain relevant to current market and economic conditions. The bill addresses farm program payments, food policy, conservation initiatives, rural development and more.

TFB leaders visited with Congressional lawmakers in their home districts. They stressed the need to increase reference prices to reflect the cost of production and to enhance crop insurance to further mitigate risk and alleviate the need for ad hoc disaster aid.

It’s essential, Adams said, that farmers and ranchers have the tools needed to succeed, including support from good public policy and strong markets both domestically and abroad.

“High input costs and outdated policy has rendered the commodity title ineffective,” Adams said. “Since the last bill was written, farmers have faced volatile markets, the coronavirus 19 pandemic, weather disasters and the war in Ukraine.”

That’s why Farm Bureau leaders emphasized the need for updated policy and a bill that can help cover the future political climate and natural disasters. But Congress has yet to reach an agreement.

“Hundreds of Texas Farm Bureau members have met with nearly all members of the Texas Congressional delegation this summer and fall,” he said. “Those face-to-face meetings give them an opportunity to share how the farm bill personally impacts their farms, businesses and families. Hearing from their constituents helps lawmakers understand how the bills they craft impact Texans.”

Adams noted the farm bill touches all Americans, not just those in rural areas.

“The farm bill is a critical tool for ensuring the nation’s food supply remains secure,” he said. “Funding for this comprehensive package includes the risk management tools for farmers, but it also covers access to nutrition for low-income families, conservation programs and investments in agricultural research. All of that is important to our nation’s future, and it’s imperative that we get the 2023 Farm Bill finalized soon.”

The current farm bill is set to expire Sept. 30. If a new bill is not passed by the end of the year, impacts will start to mount heading into 2024.