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Ag bankers and the 2012 Farm Bill

At the 2011 Ag Bankers Conference in Indianapolis there is a significant amount of discussion taking place surrounding the 2012 Farm Bill, everything from who’s writing the Farm Bill, to when it will be written.

From his perspective, John Blanchfield, Sr. Vice President, Center for Agricultural and Rural Banking with the American Bankers Association, says this is not the best time to be writing long term farm legislation.

“USDA projects a 25 percent increase in net cash income in 2011 over 2010, a 25 percent increase, for farm policy this is a terrible time to try and debate a new Farm Bill because the perception is agriculture doesn’t need anything, and that’s true, this year,” Blanchfield said.

Blanchfield adds that he hopes a Farm Bill isn’t written that leaves everyone out in the cold, but that is his biggest concern.