Farm Groups Prod Congress for Economic Relief

With two weeks left in the congressional schedule for this year, time is running out for lawmakers to provide financial relief to agriculture, said two farm groups. “It is imperative that they address the well-defined and fully substantiated needs of farmers just trying to hold on for another season,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The American Soybean Association said, “Efforts to pass a new comprehensive five-year farm bill have stalled, and while discussions about extending the current law continue, uncertainty remains about whether meaningful economic relief for farmers will be included.”

Farm leaders say financial assistance is needed because of lower commodity prices and high production costs. Congress was expected to pass a short-term government funding bill before adjournment. That legislation could be a vehicle for a farm bailout but inclusion was not certain. Some farm-state members of the House have proposed $20 billion in aid.