LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – An important deadline for congress has passed.
On Sept. 30, the current farm bill expired, leaving many in the agriculture industry concerned about what the future holds.
“Farmers aren’t going to stop working. We can’t this isn’t a wait and see type of deal. Lawmakers have that luxury. Farmers do not,” said farmer Brandon Vail.
Since 1933, every five years, the federal government reviews the food and farm landscape and renews the farm bill.
The last five-year farm bill expired in September 2023, so we’ve been working under a one-year extension of a six-year-old law.
“Some of your programs are still in effect, crop insurance being one of them which is the most important for us. But some of your other programs are going to start expiring fairly quickly. Your market access program has already expired. Some of your dairy programs are going to go back to permanent law in January if something isn’t done in the meantime,” said Vail.
“Permanent law” is a term used to describe the Agricultural Act of 1949.
The act established a price support system for dairy and other agricultural programs.
Vail explains what he prioritizes most in this new Farm Bill is an increase in reference price.
“I mean the price I’m getting for rice right now is $6 a barrel less than what my grandfather got in 1973. So, we’re really not making the margin that most people seem to think that we are,” said Vail.
So, why should you, the consumer, care about this farm bill?
“You have to remember 80 percent of the Farm Bill has nothing to do with farmers. Eighty percent of a Farm Bill is nutrition programs – things such as SNAP, WIC, any type of consumer nutrition program is a Farm Bill program,” explains Vail.
While you may not feel immediate effects, he says if a new Farm Bill isn’t passed by January, you may see an increase in dairy prices.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain echoes Vail’s sentiment.
“Without a new Farm Bill there’s no reauthorization for research programs. Or development programs that develop more efficient ways to farm. It affects many many many things such as our conservation programs and others,” said Strain.
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