Organization for Competitive Markets members want the final farm bill that’s ironed out by House Senate Conferees to include some reforms to checkoff programs. Executive Director Joe Maxwell says they failed to get major checkoff improvements in either the House or Senate Farm versions. However, he says there’s an opportunity to get some reforms in the conference report.

He says OCM also wants the final legislation to include funding for conservation programs and preservation of the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Maxwell says OCM opposes the King amendment, or the Protect Interstate Commerce Act, as it takes away state and local authority over agriculture.

Maxwell says it’s critical the conference committee complete the farm bill before current law expires September 30.