The 2018 farm bill, which expired on September 30, authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s farm and food programs. Late Tuesday night, the House of Representatives bundled the farm bill extension with a continuing resolution to fund the government through early next year. The Senate signaled its support soon after resulting in a vote late Wednesday night.
The four leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees: Thompson, Stabenow, Boozman, and Scott released the following statement on a Farm Bill extension:
“As negotiations on funding the government progress, we were able to come together to avoid a lapse in funding for critical agricultural programs and provide certainty to producers. This extension is in no way a substitute for passing a 5-year Farm Bill and we remain committed to working together to get it done next year.”
Agricultural groups also commented yesterday on the passage of a stopgap spending bill.
American Farm Bureau Federation comments on Farm Bill Extension
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the passage of a stopgap spending bill by both the House of Representatives and Senate, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. Farm Bureau sent a letter to all members of Congress Tuesday urging passage of the continuing resolution that included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill.
“We are grateful Congress passed a farm bill extension to avoid serious program disruptions and we encourage President Biden to sign it. However, we urge both the House and Senate to stay focused on a new, modernized farm bill that recognizes the many changes and challenges of the past five years.
“The current farm bill was written before the pandemic, before inflation spiked, and before global unrest sent shock waves through the food system. We need programs that reflect today’s realities. So much work has been done by the agriculture committees in both the House and Senate over the past 18 months to prepare to craft a smart and effective farm bill. Congress must keep that momentum going.
“While an extension is necessary, they’re running out of time to write a new bill. We need a new farm bill in early 2024. The farm bill affects every American by helping to ensure a safe, stable, and affordable food supply. Let’s make sure we get it right in 2024.”
National Farms Union urges passage of five-year bill
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew issued the following statement regarding the one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill recently passed by Congress:
“NFU is encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. Now we urge Congress to channel that success toward getting a new farm bill done in a timely fashion. Family farmers and ranchers must have clarity about the status of farm programs to make informed planting and business decisions heading into the next growing season, and an extension accomplishes that in the short term. We will continue working to craft and pass a five-year farm bill that provides strong support for family farmers, ranchers, and our communities.”
Cattle producers praise Farm Bill extension
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association praised Congress for passing a government funding package that includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill through September 30, 2024, and extends the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program until January 19, 2024.
“NCBA is thankful for Congress passing legislation extending critical programs that farmers and ranchers across the country depend on. These extensions give much needed certainty to cattle producers, and NCBA will continue engaging with Congress and the Biden Administration as they work to deliver a long-term Farm Bill, as well as a clean reauthorization of Livestock Mandatory Reporting,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “With so much work still left to do, I urge President Biden to swiftly sign this continuing resolution.”
Corn growers statement on extension
The National Corn Growers Association is also pleased that the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution that extends the 2018 farm bill for one year, but the association said the extension is no substitute for a fully reauthorized farm bill.
“Growers are already making decisions for the 2024 crop year based on markets, growing conditions and risk calculations,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “This extension provides us with much needed certainty around the commodity title and other important USDA programs. But we continue to advocate for a full reauthorization of the farm bill as soon as possible.”
