07/31/06 NAWG testifies on conservation programs

Farm and Ranch July 31, 2006 The president of the National Association of Wheat Growers told members of Congress last week that the conservation title of the Farm Bill is a "critical " part of future farm programs. Dale Schuler of Carter, Montana, told the U.S. House Agriculture's Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research, that the National Wheat Growers will not be pressing for any radical restructuring of the existing conservation title in a new Farm Bill. But Schuler says wheat growers will be looking for opportunities to make more efficient coordination of existing conservation programs. Schuler: "For example, we could ask the question, why should each program have a separate sign up? Why couldn't producers participate in a single sign up indicating which program, programs, they are interested in, submitting the necessary information, and then allow NRCS or FSA to determine the programs or programs for which they qualify." Schuler also noted that the baseline funding for certain conservation programs was extended out through 2010 or 2011 in this year's budget reconciliation resolution. Schuler: "Therefore we will be working to see all conservation programs, particularly CSP, adequately funded and work to remove the priority watershed barriers to participation." Schuler also discussed NAWG's interest in cellulosic ethanol and suggested a dialogue about the potential for growing biomass on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.