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Iowa farmer continues farm bill advisory work

Pictured: Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser at the 2023 NAFB Convention (Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield)

A southwest Iowa farmer says the ag industry needs a new five-year farm bill before the end of the year.

Ray Gaesser farms near Corning and serves as a farm bill advisor for House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson. “The 2018 (Farm Bill) was adequate six years ago, but it’s not quite so adequate today.”

He tells Brownfield several programs need updated. “People are concerned about the ag economy and there’s a lot of desire to raise the reference prices a little bit. And there’s a big desire to get exports moving again.”

Gaesser says he’ll continue to help push lawmakers to move the legislation forward. “It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in policy work in Washington, D.C. GT does a wonderful job of making us feel that we’re having an impact.”

The current farm bill extension expires at the end of the month.