Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns gave his take on the upcoming farm bill and what kind of effect it could have on livestock producers in a recent webinar was hosted by the Colorado Livestock Association.
Johanns said it’s important to recognize who is going to be writing the next farm bill and sees a capable roster in Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, vice chair Sen. John Bozeman of Arkansas; and, chairman of the House Ag Committee, Glenn Thompson and ranking House member David Scott. Each has their own agendas, but he’s staying optimistic.
This farm bill could be the first trillion dollar bill—$1,463,000,000,000. He sees the following happening:
1. Commodity title—unchanged with possible improvement in reference prices.
2. Conservation title—best chance of funding.
3. Minor climate approaches in the conservation title.
4. Crop insurance will continue to be a major safety net with improvements.
5. Nutrition will be fully funded with some improvements.
6. All other programs like rural development will be status quo.
7. Guard rails on Commodity Credit spending.
8. Regenerative agriculture won’t go far.
9. Sugar program is losing support.
10. Permanent disaster program for livestock won’t happen.
Watch for more details from the webinar in a future issue of High Plains Journal at online at www.hpj.com.
