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Concern about splitting up farm bill

A leader with the National Pork Producers Council is concerned splitting up the farm bill could have long-term consequences for agriculture.

NPPC immediate past president Lori Stevermer says moving key pieces of the farm bill like reference prices and the nutrition program into reconciliation is unprecedented.

“There is some concern as you’ve seen some of these programs brought into the reconciliation bill, if those aren’t in the farm bill (and) it’s a skinny farm bill, I think a number of people have questioned is there the sense of urgency to get it done?”

Speaking to Brownfield during last week’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, she said pork producers need the certainty of a new five-year farm bill.

“For a couple reasons, funding for our animal health programs. And also a federal solution for Prop 12. We’re still hopeful for a farm bill, although there’s a lot more focus on the reconciliation bill.”

Stevermer and her husband have a 2,000 head finishing operation near Easton in south-central Minnesota.