Sowing the Seed for New Ag Policy

Weekly Column

Sen. Mike Johanns

 

Farmers and ranchers deal with many variables on a daily basis. From Mother Nature and commodity prices to political decisions in far-flung corners of the world, many events that might have little impact on most industries carry significant importance, and in some cases substantial threat, for ag producers in America.  Washington should not create another moving target by delaying updated long-term ag policy.

This week, the Senate took a big step toward providing greater certainty for ag producers in Nebraska and across the country by passing a new five-year farm bill. I voted for this bill, which passed Monday by a vote of 66-27.
Often in Washington, no single lawmaker gets everything he or she wants in a piece of legislation after it has been debated, amended, molded and massaged. This bill was certainly no exception.  The final version presented for a vote in the Senate is not the bill I would have drafted, but with so much on the line for our farmers, ranchers and our state’s economy, we cannot afford to let the great be the enemy of the good. I am confident we are far better off with this farm bill than with no farm bill at all.
In Nebraska, where agriculture has a connection to one third of all jobs, the success of our state’s economy depends on our ag producers’ abilities to cultivate crops and raise their herds.  This is a monumental task in good times when rain is plentiful, severe weather is minimal and cattle wade through belly-deep pastures of grass. This has been a far cry from reality in recent years, when drought has stifled crop yields and thinned out herds. Despite recent rainfall and improved drought conditions, we are certainly not out of the woods and have yet to reach the driest part of the summer.
That’s why it is so important to pass a new farm bill, which includes opportunities for disaster assistance for ranchers, many of whom were forced to sell off portions of their herd when drought struck and the current safety net expired last year. This is just one example of many that point to the need for updated ag policy.  Ag producers are currently operating on a year-to-year extension of old policy, with the ongoing threat that a lack of congressional action will result in returning to antiquated laws enacted in the 1940s.
The Senate’s vote to pass a new farm bill is the first step in the process of ensuring ag producers have policy that reflects the modern agriculture industry. It is now up to the House of Representatives to pass its version of the farm bill.  The two versions will be merged in a special conference committee of Senators and Representatives, presented to the President for his consideration, and hopefully, his signature.
Clearly, more must be done before updated ag policy can take effect, and it’s imperative that Congress and the President follow through in a timely manner, before the current policy expires at the end of the year. Ag producers work hard to provide food, fuel and fiber to America and the rest of the world. We have a responsibility to pass a farm bill and ensure they have the tools they need to continue serving an ever-growing global population.