Whatever the new Farm Bill contains will need to include a solid risk management program to help farmers who’ve been hit by a depressed farm economy. That’s according to National Association of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Connor who’s sitting on a panel this week looking at that legislation.

He says there will probably be some changes to the ARC and PLC programs in the farm bill but that most farmers like the overall program itself.

Connor says the new farm bill will also need to address the concerns of dairy producers who haven’t been happy with how the margin protection insurance program has worked.

Connor says Congress will need to get to work right away on the new farm bill in 2017.