Last week farm bill conference leaders were optimistic about the farm bill reaching the House and Senate floors sometime this week. However, that may get delayed as both bodies may not be in session Tuesday and Wednesday due to the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Director Jonathan Hladik says that puts a crunch on lawmakers to get the farm bill passed.

The actively engaged in farming payment limitation measure may not be a part of the final farm legislation and that is disappointing according to Hladik.

It appears the final farm bill will include an increase in Conservation Reserve Program acres from 24 million to 27 million. Hladik says while that would be positive says their main objective is making sure the Conservation Stewardship Program is preserved.

Senate Ag ranking member Debbie Stabenow indicated that both the Conservation Stewardship and Environmental Quality Incentives Programs will be continued in the new farm bill.