Despite the fact Congress is taking their summer break, efforts continue to draft a new farm bill. Tyron Spearman has the story.
McConnell: Farm Bill Will Be Late
While the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Representative Glenn GT Thompson, has been hoping for September Farm Bill markup, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says Congress will deliver a farm bill, but not likely in September. Roll Call says McConnell told the Kentucky Farm Bureau that Congress is running out of working days on the legislative calendar before …
Cammack Expects Tough Battle for Farm Bill
There’s just over a month until the current farm bill expires, and some lawmakers are gearing up for a tough fight. Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) spoke at the Sweetener Symposium in California last week and said she’s expecting a battle over the farm bill. In an interview with us on Monday, she explained some of the issues she expects. …
Producers Encouraged to Talk to Congress in August
The August recess isn’t break for lawmakers, and farmers are encouraged to remember that. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Lawmakers from the House and Senate are on the annual August recess and back in their respective districts and states. Tom Donnely, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Grassroots Program Development, says lawmakers will spend that time …
Farm Bill May Be in for an Extension
The 2018 Farm Bill officially expires September 30, 2023. And while efforts are underway to get a new bill put together, there are some who feel it won’t be ready by that date. Tyron Spearman reports that means there could be an extension.
Senators Split Over Including Cattle Market Reform in Farm Bill
The two main sponsors of cattle marketing reform legislation are now split over whether to try to include the measure in the farm bill. Senator Chuck Grassley says his chief co-sponsor of the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act now wants to take a different path. “Senator Fischer, one of our main leaders in this area, has told the leadership …
Senator Tuberville Talks to Alabama Farmers
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville made four stops in Alabama this week talking to farmers about the issues they are having. The stops included Bay Minette, Headland, Boaz and Millbrook where farmers were able to discuss the things they feel are important for the new Farm Bill. Various issues were discussed including labor, which Senator Tuberville noted is a very important …
Alabama Cattlemen to Participate in Farm Bill Listening Session
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville will be in Alabama today and tomorrow (Aug. 1-2) to take part in four farm bill listening sessions across the state. Three will be held today, with the last one taking place Wednesday morning. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Kayla Greer, says they will be taking part in that event. The listening sessions will …
GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs
The Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act seeks to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs. Congressman John Duarte, a farmer from California, is on the coalition behind the act. He says current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations of $900,000 disproportionately limit producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs. “That sounds …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In this week’s “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, the Commissioner invites farmers around the state to attend their upcoming farm bill discussion public hearings. He and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) are providing an opportunity for those who will be impacted by the farm bill to offer input and voice their concerns. Commissioner, tell us more about …