House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway says he would be open to splitting the farm bill ahead of the 2018 cycle. He wants the easiest path for farm bill passage and if it involves just considering farm programs or combining with nutrition program he’s in favor of that. South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says it would be unwise to split the farm bill because urban backing is needed for its passage.
He says it is good however that Conaway and others hope to start putting the new farm bill together in early 2017. Sombke says the current depressed ag economy demands it.
Sombke says what the average farmer is making now is not very much despite recent reports. He says they need to start addressing that with the new farm legislation.
Sombke says there needs to be a tweaking of the ARC and PLC programs in the new farm bill. He says more control should be given to local Farm Service Agency committees on that.
