(NAFB) — Its clear farmers are frustrated with the many forces beyond their control, following a listening session in Minnesota. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue didn’t receive a warm welcome during Minnesota’s Farmfest this week. Hosted by House Ag Committee Chair and Minnesota Democrat Collin Peterson, Perdue got an earful from farmers questioning farm bill programs and trade. Peterson says one …
Hoping for a Farm Bill This Week
Farmers and ranchers have been waiting for the U.S. House and Senate to agree on the 2018 Farm Bill, thus giving them a five-year extension of federal farm programs. Last week, Ranking Democrat of the House Agriculture Committee, Collin Peterson of Minnesota, predicted the farm bill would be considered this week, with House consideration possible Wednesday the Senate on Thursday. The …
Peterson: Farm Bill Could be Passed Next Week
The Ranking Democrat of the House Agriculture Committee predicts the farm bill will be considered next week. Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota told reporters this week the bill is nearly finalized and should be filed Monday, with House consideration Wednesday and Senate consideration Thursday. Peterson says the bill would rename the Margin Protection Program and change the way it operates …
Agreement Reached in Principle on 2018 Farm Bill
House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Pat Roberts (R- Kan.) and Ranking Members Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) made the following announcement on the state of 2018 Farm Bill negotiations: “We’re pleased to announce that we’ve reached an agreement in principle on the 2018 Farm Bill. We are working to finalize legal and report …
Peterson Expects New Farm Bill in Lame-Duck Session
The likely incoming Chair of the House Agriculture Committee says farmers and ranchers can expect a new farm bill before the end of 2018. Collin Peterson, the current Ranking Member, said farm bill negotiators are getting “relatively close” to an agreement on a final measure that Congress could pass during the lame-duck session. Various ag industry groups fear that starting …
Conaway Determined to Complete Farm Bill
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway remains determined to finish the farm bill this year. During an event in Omaha, Nebraska, Conaway told DTN “there’s plenty of motivation for the four of us to get this farm bill done,” referring to the four leaders of the farm bill conference committee. Conaway says farm bill negotiators are still working through issues …
Farm Bill Being Stalled Further Possible
Progress on the farm bill following the November midterm elections could be stalled even further, depending on the need for disaster relief stemming from Hurricane Michael. House Agriculture Committee ranking Democrat Collin Peterson this week speculated congress members from states impacted by the hurricane will pressure lawmakers to “either add something to the farm bill or appropriations,” according to Politico. …
Environmental Groups: No Farm Bill Better Than Bad Bill
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and a group of left-leaning environmental groups will hold a press conference Monday to tell Congress “No farm bill is better than a bad farm bill.” The Hagstrom Report says the announcement means the lobbying coalition on the farm bill is officially split on the importance of passing a farm bill this year. …
Ag Committee Members Advancing Farm Bill Talks
The “big four” farm bill leaders met Thursday in an effort to advance negotiations of the conference committee. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow, along with Representatives Mike Conaway and Collin Peterson, met Thursday in Washington to advance the farm bill talks, even though the House of Representatives is on recess until after the midterm elections. It’s the first face-to-face …
Roberts Asks Conaway, Peterson, to Remain in Washington
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts is also chair of the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee. The Hagstrom Report says Roberts feels Congress is running out of time to finish the farm bill conference report before the current bill expires on September 30th. He’s asking House Ag Chair Michael Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson to remain in Washington, in …