Some Wisconsin Ag Leaders Worry Over Expiration Of Farm Bill

Some Wisconsin agricultural leaders say the absence of a national farm bill could hurt the state’s farmers. The federal legislation that covers farm and food programs expired Sept. 30.

But Wisconsin Farm Bureau president Jim Holte said most of the major pieces of the bill like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and federal crop insurance programs will have funding until the end of the calendar year.

“We’ve been in this situation before with relatively minimal disruption,” Holte said.

The farm bill that expired last week was actually two years overdue, with lawmakers failing to pass the legislation in 2012 and 2013.

But Holte said he’s disappointed Congress hasn’t produced a bill that can pass both chambers.

Kara O’Connor, government relations director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, said lawmakers will likely pass an extension of the bill before funding runs out.

“The one exception is some really important conservation programs,” O’Connor said. “Those don’t have continuing funding under an extension and we know that those are really critical on Wisconsin farms, especially with the unprecedented rains that we’ve seen in this past year and the past couple of years.”

The Dairy Forward Pricing program also won’t receive funding under a farm bill extension.

Julie Sweney, communications director for FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, said the program provides guidelines for how dairy farmers can negotiate a price for future milk production.

“Instead of waiting to see what kind of milk price it is at that time, they can lock in that price,” Sweney said. “It’s a means to protect your bottom line.”

Without the program, Sweney said it’s possible milk processing plants won’t offer as many of these contracts.

Because Congress let the farm bill expire without an extension, Sweney said she’s hopeful federal lawmakers are close to a resolution.

“Hopefully we can hit that sweet spot and get a farm bill passed before Dec. 31. Otherwise we risk starting all over again with newly seated congressional leaders in the new year,” Sweney said.