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Lobbyist: new farm bill not likely in September

An ag lobbyist says it isn’t likely a farm bill will be done in 2023. Randy Russell says while it’s possible for lawmakers to get a farm bill completed by the end of December, the $1.5 trillion price tag won’t make it easy.

“Look, do I think we’re going to get a farm bill done? Yes, I do. Do I think we’re going to get it done by September 30, 2023? There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that’s going to happen.”

He says there is some talk that the Congressional Budget Office could update their numbers and use prices similar to those used by the USDA and private groups.

“We’ll have to see about that. Right now, to simply increase the reference prices 10%, it’s going to cost you $20 billion, but won’t get much additional price protection. That’s a bit of a challenge.”

Russell says he’s expecting the new farm bill to be finalized in first quarter of 2024.