Farm bill extension: temporary certainty

WASHINGTON — Agriculture groups are grateful that Congress extended the 2018 farm bill for another year, but urge lawmakers to stay focused on new, modernized legislation that recognizes the many changes and challenges of the past six years.

“After months of uncertainty, family farmers and ranchers across the country can finally take some solace in the passage of the end-of-year funding package. Congress has provided farmers with much-needed and long-overdue economic and disaster relief as they continue to grapple with mounting challenges from extreme weather, high input costs and volatile markets.

“However, family farmers and ranchers deserve better. There was a clear bipartisan agreement that would have gone further in addressing the pressing issues confronting agriculture today. The previously negotiated agreement included several important agriculture and food security provisions, such as granting nationwide year-round sales of E15 blends of ethanol. Higher-level blends would increase market opportunities for farmers, reduce emissions and strengthen domestic energy production. Instead, Congress allowed dysfunction to stand in the way.

“Our leaders need to do better.”

—  Rob Larew, president, National Farmers Union

“This is not just a failure of process — family farmers and ranchers should not have to navigate a system that treats their livelihoods like political collateral. Our leaders need to do better. The path forward must prioritize collaboration, innovation and a steadfast commitment to addressing the real challenges faced by rural communities. The most effective way to demonstrate that is by delivering a comprehensive five-year farm bill at the start of 2025.”

Rob Larew, president

National Farmers Union

“Corn growers are deeply disappointed that a permanent, year-round E15 solution was not included in the end-of-year legislation package. This no-cost provision would have provided a market-driven solution to farmers experiencing low corn prices. We call upon legislators to address this matter quickly in the start of the new Congress and fix this issue once and for all.

“NCGA is appreciative of House and Senate Agriculture leadership and other champions who worked hard to extend the farm bill and provide much needed economic and disaster assistance to farm country. This assistance will help growers reeling from natural disasters and multiple years of low crop prices paired with high input costs.”

Kenneth Hartman Jr., president

National Corn Growers Association

“Congress has come through with a bipartisan solution that not only keeps our government open, but keeps our farms going. While we of course had our hopes set on a new five-year farm bill in 2024, we are grateful for this one-year extension and will urge Congress to pass an improved farm bill in the new year. And having economic and disaster aid in this critical piece — at a critical time for farm families — is also very appreciated, along with other provisions.”

Caleb Ragland, president

American Soybean Association

“NAWG applauds members of both the House and Senate for coming together to provide much-needed economic assistance and disaster relief for farmers nationwide. While this legislation also includes a one-year farm bill extension and short-term relief, it is not a replacement for a long-term farm bill.

“As we enter the 119th Congress, NAWG urges lawmakers to work quickly to pass a farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net and provides long-term certainty for producers and rural America.”

Chandler Goule, CEO

National Association of Wheat Growers

“Farm Bureau thanks the House and the Senate for finding common ground and passing legislation that will keep the government open and help farmers who are struggling with natural disasters, high supply costs and out-of-reach interest rates. For many farmers, the disaster relief provided through the continuing resolution will be the difference between planting for another year or going out of business.

“It’s unfortunate that the final measure did not include authorization for year-round E-15 sales, which benefits farmers, leads to lower fuel prices and helps America reach its sustainability goals. We will continue to push for this in 2025.

“The economic and disaster assistance in the CR is a temporary fix to long-term challenges facing America’s farmers. The farm bill extension also offers a short reprieve and gives lawmakers some breathing room to pass a modernized farm bill that will provide risk management support. We urge them to build on the bipartisan efforts demonstrated during the CR to pass a new five-year farm bill that delivers certainty for rural America and ensures a stable food supply for the nation.”

Zippy Duvall, president

American Farm Bureau Federation

“In approving the American Relief Act, Congress sent a clear message to farmers across the country — some of you matter and some of you don’t. Negotiators managed to include $10 billion in economic aid for which only some farmers are eligible, but agreed to exclude a permanent, generational investment in conservation programs — programs which build productivity, sustainability and resilience and for which all farmers are eligible. The $10 billion in economic aid comes in addition to billions worth of subsidies already provided through the commodity and crop insurance programs, which won’t be taken into account when determining the new economic aid payments.

“Negotiators also stripped important, bipartisan negotiated provisions of the farm bill extension in the final deal, including the loss of roughly $177 million in funding for USDA’s so-called ‘orphan’ programs. These programs have small price tags, but big impacts across all 50 states, from improving farm system efficiency, increasing farmers’ and ranchers’ resilience to extreme weather, supporting young farmers and growing market access. They will now face ceased operations as their funds run dry.

“The only bright spot in this otherwise disappointing outcome, is the inclusion of revenue-based disaster relief assistance for producers. We look forward to working alongside USDA to implement these resources to ensure accessibility and responsiveness to the diverse recovery needs of all farmers, including those in the southeastern U.S. hard hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“Quick work in 2025 is now even more critical. Amidst a new Congress and new Administration, Congress must get to work on a new farm bill that recoups the conservation investment left on the table by this deal, funds the ‘orphan’ programs and is rooted in policies that meet the needs of all farmers.”

Mike Lavender, policy director

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

“After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, we needed the certainty (of a new farm bill) to make decisions yesterday. Congress’ complete disregard and inability to adequately provide assurance for producers is sure to make this a bleak holiday season for many farming families across the country.”

Lori Stevermer, president

National Pork Producers Council