Farm Bill Reauthorization

Farm Bill Reauthorization

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report.

Earlier this week the Idaho Grain Producers sponsored a webinar featuring National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Dana Peterson who gave an update on the progress of the Farm Bill reauthorization.

Peterson shares NAWG’s highest priority.

Peterson: “Our top priority is crop insurance. Across the country, we have lots of different weather threats that come after our crop every year. We have late freezes and late snows that can devastate our crops. We definitely have droughts happening and the flooding pictures as well. In the last year we were able to communicate educate our staff assistants and legislative directors here on Capitol Hill about the uncertainties that agricultural producers do face with the weather as all of these happened in one year.”

Other NAWG priorities include protecting trade promotion programs and agricultural research.

She encourages wheat farmers to be talking to their legislators.

Peterson: “My advice to growers is definitely be in close communication with your members of congress and your senators, regardless of whether they are on the Ag committee or not. The next two to three months are going to be essential so that everything lines up properly so we can get a Farm Bill done.”

To hear the webinar in its entirety, go to idahograin.org.

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.