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Bootheel farmer says reference price increases are a must for new farm bill

A cotton and rice farmer from the Missouri Bootheel says reference price increases are needed in the commodities title of the next farm bill.

“There’s nothing we’re spending money on at the farm that’s cheaper than it was 10 years ago.”

Barry Bean tells Brownfield if changes aren’t made to provide more support to farmers for tough times, it could affect the production of cash-intensive crops like cotton, rice and corn.

“Rising costs is one of the things that caused us to pull back planting and acreage back in the 1990s. We saw input prices increase, export shares decrease and the domestic textile industry move overseas, which affected acreage.”

Bean says he’s optimistic lawmakers can find the money to make those changes and pass a new bill in 2024.

“Based on history, the last time we had to extend the farm bill for one year in the following year lawmakers got there. On the other hand, next year will be a contentious election year.”

Missouri Farm Bureau members adopted new policy during the annual meeting this week supporting a reference price increase in the next farm bill.

Brownfield interviewed Bean at the Missouri Farm Bureau annual meeting.