News

Crafting more ad-hoc relief for U.S. farmers

The ranking member of the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee says he’s been working with leaders on the U.S. Senate Ag Committee to determine what temporary assistance looks like for farmers heading into a downturn in the ag economy.

“Whether that’s a separate piece on its own or it’s a piece that actually helps as part of farm bill negotiations, that’s being discussed,” says John Hoeven, a U.S. Senator from North Dakota.

Jerry Moran, a U.S. Senator from Kansas, recently said Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow was considering a partial extension of the farm bill and temporary relief that provides title one provisions for farmers.

Hoeven tells Brownfield the assistance could resemble former ad-hoc relief, but it’s more challenging because it’s a price issue. He says while reference price changes are needed longer-term…

“Some of the producers are saying they need help right now for a variety of reasons. Some of it’s price, but there are some areas that have had drought and so forth.”

Hoeven says it’s unclear if Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow has changed her mind on updating reference prices.

“I’ll let her answer that, but I will tell you we’re engaged in discussions and that’s progress, because for awhile we weren’t getting traction on discussions. But I think now that commodity prices are down, it’s demonstrated we need updated reference prices to have a farm bill that works.”

Hoeven says any assistance this year could be included in an ag appropriations bill and some of it could be included in a full, five-year farm bill.