GRASS ROOTS
Local producers weigh in at farm bill summit
Courtesy of Corn Producers Association of Texas
Corn Producers Association of Texas had the opportunity to attend the 2018 Farm Bill listening session , as well as the West Texas Legislative summit earlier this summer . Both were filled with devoted farmers , ranchers , and many different commodity groups that are all passionate about the agriculture industry .
On July 31 , 2017 , in San Angelo , Texas , these agriculturists came together to present to Chairman Mike Conaway of District 11 and the U . S . House Committee on Agriculture the issues they felt needed to be addressed in the next farm bill .
“ All the farmers here have the same message , and that ’ s to make the Farm Bill better ,” Jimmy Wedel , CPAT board member and Lubbock farmer , said .
Chairman Conaway and committee members traveled around the United States listening to farmers from all over the nation . From remarks made by Chairman Conaway before the listening session began , he wanted to know what needs to be changed in order to have a better farm bill , come September 2018 . He sought to know what farmers face out in the fields and what can be done to better help them . Conaway expressed an understanding that agriculture plays a big role in the world , and an eagerness to make sure he is taking care of the people within it .
CPAT members and Texas farmers , including Lindsey Bowers of Inez , Heath Hill of Gruver , Joe Reed of Kress , and Jim Sugarek of Beeville had the opportunity to address some of the key issues they and others were facing . They voiced a need for more affordable crop insurance , because many years farmers spend more and make less . Farmers also encouraged adjustments to the Agriculture Risk Coverage ( ARC ) & Price Lose Coverage ( PLC ) reference prices to ensure farm stability in time of loss . Additionally , a need for conservation programs , trade regulation and risk management in times of drought were mentioned in the session .
Another topic of discussion was family farmland being economically feasible for next generations to return to the farm and keep family farming a tradition . Farmers ’ income has decreased dramatically ; before too long many will face the harsh reality of trying to make ends meet , while remaining in agriculture . If these issues are resolved , farmers will be able to continue to do what they do best , which is providing healthy and safe food .
At the legislative summit , attendees heard from a variety of panels and people from different industries . CPAT President Joe Reed had the opportunity to serve on the industry priorities panel .
“ It ’ s not corn vs . cotton , it ’ s not corn vs . anyone , we have to be a united front in order to get this bill passed ,” Reed said on the panel .
Reed expressed to corn farmers , other farmers , ranchers , and commodity groups the importance of coming together and supporting one another to get the new bill passed . The legislative summit discussed a variety of issues in depth and what needs to be done to have a better farm bill .
Chairman Conaway and his committee listened and heard each person talk about what they felt needed to be done to have a better farm bill . There were plenty of concerns that the congressman and his committee have to take into account .
“ Conaway always seemed to be engaged , and when I made eye contact with him today I felt he actually cared ,” Bowers said .
CPAT appreciates Chairman Conaway passion toward the agriculture industry , and the people within it . His effort to put agriculture ’ s best interests at heart when it comes to the new Farm Bill are welcomed by the industry . CPAT thanks him and his committee for hearing and caring about the needs and concerns of Texas farmers .