Farm Groups Urge Congress to Include Ag Aid in Funding Bill
TL/DR –
Various commodity groups have called for lawmakers to oppose a stopgap spending bill unless it includes financial aid for farmers. The move increases pressure on congressional leaders who have yet to reach agreement on an economic package, a contention point being the Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding. Some farm groups have stated they will oppose any resolution to keep the government funded unless it includes market relief for crop producers.
Demands Rise for Economic Assistance for Farmers
Several commodity groups have escalated their demand for economic assistance for farmers to be included in the stopgap spending bill. Disagreement on the economic package continues to prevail among congressional leaders, with House GOP leaders reluctant to cater to Democratic demands regarding the farm bill baseline.
Stalemate on Aid Package
Upon the announcement by House and Senate Ag committees leaders of a stalemate on the aid package, numerous farm groups expressed their opposition to passing a resolution to maintain government funding without market relief for row crop producers.
Concerns over Survival of Producers
Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, warned that passing the legislation without economic aid could threaten the survival of numerous producers nationwide. Similar sentiments were echoed by Kenneth Hartman Jr., president of the National Corn Growers Association, and Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association.
Row Crop Revenue Projections
The largest projected decline in receipts for this year is expected for cotton farmers at 26.9%, followed by corn at 20.8%, and soybean at 12.3% according to USDA’s latest farm income forecast. Wheat and rice receipts are estimated to drop by 7% and 4.5% respectively, causing a total cash receipt decline of 9.2% for row crops.
Call for Relief and Aid
Several industry leaders, including Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Wheat Growers Association, denounced the failure of Congress to provide relief to farmers amid a financial crisis. The International Fresh Produce Association also urged Congress for a Farm Bill extension that not only maintains current USDA programs, but also generously funds the crucial economic relief and overdue natural disaster aid needed by specialty crop producers.
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