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MSU weighs in on farm bill expectations for 2025
An ag policy expert says he sees potential for a new farm bill to pass this year as part of a continuing resolution.
Michigan State University’s Alan Ker tells Brownfield Congress could take up two separate resolutions to move tax policy and other legislation forward.
“I expect it to be part of one of the two reconciliation bills, and if I was betting my money, I expect cuts to SNAP and conservation programs and an increase to statutory reference prices,” he shares.
Ker says cuts in nutrition programs could drive apart a coalition of urban and rural legislators and lead to alternative efforts to support farm programs.
“I’d be surprised if there isn’t a push to make farm programs permanent spending so then you don’t have to worry about deadlines and then running out,” he says.
He says the recent $10 billion dedicated to economic and disaster aid for farmers brings more attention to the needs in the sector.
“It doesn’t seem like these one-time ad hoc payments have influenced or have been a takeaway for future farm bill dollars,” he says. “If anything, I think it almost works the other way, where it shows a need and more money gets put into the bills.”
He says reference prices still could see a 20 percent increase from the 2018 legislation or cost of production modeling like what was approved in the economic disaster aid package.
Ker says another extension also isn’t out of the question if members of the U.S. House can’t come together.
Brownfield interviewed Kerr as part of this week’s Michigan Agri-Business Association Winter Conference in Lansing.
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