03/05/08 Wheat growers keep abreast of farm bill developments

Farm and Ranch March 5, 2008 In an effort to preserve their economic safety net, farmers like Kevin Porter, President of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, have been making many a trip to the nation's capitol to monitor farm bill developments. During an interview at last week's Commodity Classic in Nashville, Porter said he would be in Washington D.C. again this week. Porter said the direct payment remains the key for wheat growers in a new farm bill. Porter: "Well, we don't want to give up anything on direct payments because it is good in all situations. Whether you have a disaster or you have a good year, I mean it helps. It is always there. It is something you can budget for. The government can budget for. It is an easy number to fix on. I know there are a lot of people in the world that don't like it but it is always there. It is consistent. It is better than trying to pass supplemental disaster packages and this other stuff. It is something you can really plan for, so we are really focused on the direct payment. We like it a lot. (Hoff-It seems like that is something that has remained in play throughout these discussions." ) Yeah, it has. It has taken a lot of effort, keep reminding people how important that direct payment is. I think there were some attacks early on and we have made it a real priority to save the direct payment." Meanwhile, the Administration now says it will agree to farm bill spending of ten billion above baseline but there are some caveats, including; no hike in loan rates or target prices, an end to marketing loan beneficial interest and no restrictions on emergency foreign food aid. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.