Conditions “Too Good” for Fast Farm Bill

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative

An ag economics expert says this year’s farm bill battle is a repeat of bills gone by. Dr. Joe Outlaw is a Regents Fellow, Professor, and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University.  In addition, he is the Co-Director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University. During a recent Farm …

Senator Tuberville Pushes for Farm Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative, Regulation

While lawmakers continue the back-and-forth on the budget, some are keeping their eye on the Farm Bill. Speaking on the Senate Floor, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) made a plea for farmers. “The whole purpose of the Farm Bill is supposed to be to help farmers. What an idea. Yet seven out of eight dollars, again, seven out of eight dollars …

Pork Producers Take on D.C. for Fall Fly-in

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Regulation

More than 100 pork producers from around the country attended the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Spring Legislative Action Conference last week in Washington, D.C. The biannual fly-in featured a variety of speakers, a media briefing and NPPC’s widely popular congressional “Baconfest” reception in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress. NPPC President Scott Hays kicked off the event by sharing …

Kildee’s Request for Farm Bill Sugar Policy

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, Sugar

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s the resounding message from Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) when it comes to the nation’s sugar policy. “We have a system right now that ensures that domestically grown sugar is sold into the markets before we allow for competition to come from offshore. This kind of protection allows American sugar growers to …

Group Wants Candidates to Understand Importance of Trade

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative, Trade

Election season is getting underway, and one ag group wants candidates to talk about trade. As election season begins to kick into full gear, the agricultural organization Farmers for Free Trade waits for candidates to share their positions on the issues. Executive Director Brian Kuehl says they’re letting candidates know how important trade is. “We want to see all of …

McConnell: Farm Bill Will Be Late

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative

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

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Legislative

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. …