NASHVILLE, March 1, 2012- Commodity groups present at this year’s Commodity Classic in Nashville agree on at least two things when it comes to the Farm Bill: new legislation must be completed this year and crop insurance must be affordable and properly funded.
National organizations representing corn, wheat, soybean and sorghum have not come to a joint decision regarding risk management programs to supplement crop insurance, although they all agree that one or more must be in place for the next Farm Bill.
National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer, National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman, and National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson gathered this afternoon to discuss “common ground” on the 2012 Farm Bill and released the following statement:
“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry. As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority. We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.
“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot. The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions. We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.
“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States. Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world. We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”
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