Farm Bill Goes to Conference

Farm Bill Goes to Conference

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

A Congressional conference committee began meeting this week to work on crafting and approving a new Farm Bill.

The current Farm Bill expires September 30. This congressional committee will write the new bill. Before that can be done they'll have to come up with solutions to the differences in the House and Senate versions passed earlier this year.

Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn said they are "committed to working together on a Farm Bill that delivers certainty and predictability to our farmers and families as quickly as possible."

Colorado Corn farmers released a statement saying the Senate bill contains unacceptable language for Colorado farmers because there is not an adequate disaster program built into the bill.

Joyce Kelly, executive director of the Colorado Pork Producers said it's important to have permanent funding to prevent hoof and mouth disease, which she called a national security issue.

Terry Fankhauser, executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, said farmers and ranches who want to transfer their operation to the next generation should be allowed to be profitable.

Dale McCall, president of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, said he is concerned about young farmers being able to stay in agriculture.

The Senate Farm Bill would renew subsidies for farmers and crop-insurance companies, along with food aid for low income families. The House version would make work requirements stricter and would shift some food-stamp benefits to job-training

programs.

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