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Grassley casts doubt on ‘famine to feast’ outlook for farmers

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says more ad hoc assistance will be necessary if commodity prices don’t improve this year.

During a call with ag reporters Thursday, the Iowa Republican told Brownfield even with the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, corn and soybeans remain well below the cost of production.

“So if prices don’t go up there’d be need for the same thing next year. But E15 I’m told would take care of about $14 billion of farmer income, so see how important the marketplace would fill in for the corn producer.”

He says while leaders in the House and Senate Ag Committees seem to be on board with more aid, the administration is indicating farmers won’t need more help.

“Because when they announced in October that China was going to buy ‘x’ number of soybeans, and they have bought 12 million metric tons but none of it has been delivered yet. But I remember the President saying that we’d go on from famine to feast for the farmer.”

Grassley suggests the people advising President Trump on farm policy aren’t doing a good job.

“And I just think that the farmer, I know the President is very sincere when he highlights the farmer, but sometimes you get some statements that aren’t very realistic.”

Last month House Ag Committee Chair Glenn GT Thompson said Congress will need to provide at least $10 billion in additional aid to farmers to supplement the $12 billion from the Trump administration through the FBA program.