News

Sombke: farm bill faces challenges beyond Senate Ag Committee vote

The Senate Ag Committee is scheduled to vote again on the farm bill on Wednesday, and the South Dakota Farmers Union president expects it to advance.

However, Doug Sombke says the path forward beyond the ag committee could be challenging, given the damage that’s been done to the farm bill coalition.

“I guess the best thing we can hope for is after they get whatever it is they bring together, that by the time midterms hit, we better be ready to hit the iron when it’s hot.”

Sombke tells Brownfield lawmakers need to find a compromise.

“It’s time to bury the hatchet and come together to get something done for this country because quite honestly, without a good food, fiber and fuel program like the farm bill has always been, this country’s national security is greatly at risk.”

Sombke says the National Farmers Union supports nationwide, year-round E15 and mandatory country-of-origin labeling provisions included in the Senate proposal.

He also thinks there could be an opportunity to incorporate some NFU priorities into the farm bill after midterms, including more updates to the farm safety net, base acre changes and the Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool.

NFU members are in Washington D.C. this week, meeting with lawmakers and administration officials encouraging them to advance the farm bill.

The Senate Ag Committee is scheduled to meet at 3:30 p.m. eastern on Wednesday, and staff tells Brownfield no significant changes to the farm bill proposal are expected ahead of the vote.