Farm Bill Continues to Be Stalled

And so continues the Farm Bill Debate -- rounding the corner on nearly the third year of discussion about the five-year bill. Never thought I'd say I hope we get this one passed BEFORE it is time to begin all over again. How many times in the last two years have you just shook your head at the lack of completing the bill?

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack was interviewed last week by USA Today and mentioned that failure to pass the farm bill by January first could double the wholesale price of milk. Also it would leave livestock producers who faced storms and drought without state and federal assistance.

The Senate is off for break again this week - but House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow has warned Senate farm bill conferees they may have to come back on Wednesday. Peterson doesn't believe the impasse over the commodity title is a north-south issue as some suggest

Peterson: "It is idealogical frankly -- in my opinion. In the Senate, people defending decoupling and freedom to farm type of situation. In the House, we think it is a mistake because you can't defend it. You are making payments to people on land they are not farming it's part of what has got the direct payments in trouble. I agree with Lucas on this, I think we should base this on planted acres and there should be some floor under these prices. If the prices are better than that than there should be no payments."