Farm Bill Hope Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. So, $1.5 Trillion, with a capital T, is what it will take to pass a new Farm Bill this year. Many believe it’s unlikely, but some are more optimistic.
Tyson Redpath, Principal at the Russell Group, says it almost has to get done …
REDPATH … “It will. I still remain optimistic we’ll get a Farm Bill, you know, because it is so important to so many folks. It touches so many Congressional districts. All 100 U.S. Senators have agriculture in their state.”
And, Redpath says from a political perspective …
REDPATH … “You know, over 90%, I believe it’s 92% of program acres, so those commodity programs that comprise the safety net of American agriculture, 92% of those acres are in Republican districts.”
But, Repath says when push comes to shove for a new Farm Bill …
REDPATH … “There is a realization that bipartisanship has to prevail and that doing a Farm Bill, you know, I think is among the very best within us to make sure the less fortunate are able to get a meal and to make sure that those who produce that meal know that the federal government is their backstop.”
Repath says the left-right coalition that put together the modern Farm Bill, going back to 1985 and beyond, is what he hopes is resuscitated this year.
