Monday June 10 - Senate Passes Farm Bill on 66-27 Vote...

Johanns: Senate Farm Bill Better Than No Farm Bill

U.S. Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today released the following statement after voting for final passage of the Senate’s farm bill, which passed by a vote of 66-27:

“Long-term ag policy is a necessity for our farmers and ranchers,” Johanns said. “While this isn’t the farm bill I would have drafted, it’s better than no farm bill at all. Our ag producers work hard to provide food, fuel and fiber for Americans and for the rest of the world. We have a responsibility to give them the certainty they need to continue feeding a growing population.”

For a farm bill to become law, the House of Representatives would also have to now pass its version of a farm bill. The two pieces of legislation would then be merged in a conference committee and presented for the President’s consideration.



FISCHER SUPPORTS MULTI-YEAR FARM BILL

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today released the following statement upon voting in favor of the multi-year Farm Bill, S. 954:

“The multi-year farm bill I supported goes a long way in providing certainty for Nebraska’s farmers so they can continue to produce healthy, safe products to feed the Nation and the
world. Failure to pass this legislation would cause America’s agriculture policies to revert back to those of the World War II era – an untenable position for hardworking Nebraskans competing in a competitive global market. The farm bill also maintains and strengthens the crop insurance program – an essential risk management tool for farmers – and it bolsters conservation and disaster-related programs.

“At the same time, over 80 percent of funding in this bill goes toward the nutrition title, which received only a fraction of cuts compared to the overall hit taken by agriculture. I supported a number of amendments to achieve further savings in the nutrition title by eliminating loopholes and duplicative programs. While these amendments did not prevail, I will continue to support efforts to eliminate unnecessary spending as Congress continues the legislative conference process.”







Harkin Supports Senate Passage of Bipartisan Farm Bill

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), a senior member and former Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to approve the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 by a 66-27 vote. This is the eighth farm bill Senator Harkin has worked on since becoming a member of Congress, having chaired the Committee during the passage of the 2002 and 2008 farm bills.

“The bill passed by the Senate today continues the efforts of past farm bills – a balanced initiative that includes critical investments for food, agriculture, conservation, energy and rural programs while reducing federal spending. In addition, this legislation includes essential programs and substantial reforms, such as eliminating direct payments and replacing them with a new revenue-based program – a measure that evolved from the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program that I worked to include in the 2008 farm bill.  At the same time, today’s bill builds upon reforms in recent farm bills to strengthen and tighten payment limitations, while bolstering crop insurance programs and making them more beneficial to farmers.

“I am pleased to see that this legislation provides funding and makes improvements in critical conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and other initiatives that I have strongly supported. Despite reduced levels of conservation funding compared to those in previous farm bills, we were able to limit the extent of the budget reductions with the help of Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran.  In addition, I expect significant benefits in conservation after the momentous agreement between the farming and conservation communities that requires farmers to meet minimum conservation requirements in order to receive federal crop insurance premium subsidies.

“I am also pleased that this bill continues funding for initiatives from past farm bills that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to schools across the country.  I regret, however, that this legislation reduces funding for nutrition assistance to low-income Americans and will work to mitigate cuts to nutrition assistance programs as the legislative process moves forward.   “All in all, this is a strong bipartisan bill. Congress should pass this farm bill quickly to continue to assist farmers and consumers, while making investments in rural communities, agriculture, food, energy, and conservation programs that benefit Iowans and all Americans."



ASA Welcomes Senate Passage of the Farm Bill, Calls on House to Work Quickly

With a vote of 66 to 27 this evening, the United States Senate voted to pass the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, better known as the 2013 Farm Bill. The focus now shifts to the House of Representatives, where work is reportedly scheduled to begin next week. Passing a comprehensive, five-year farm bill is the top priority for the American Soybean Association (ASA), whose president, Danny Murphy, issued the following statement:

“The Senate has again shown admirable dedication to passing a new farm bill that will provide certainty for soybean farmers and our fellow members of the agriculture community,” said Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “The bill passed this evening represents many of ASA’s priorities and is a critical step toward strengthening the farm safety net, protecting planting flexibility, improving conservation, bolstering exports and feeding our nation’s hungry.

“The bill also represents a commitment from farmers to our collective national financial responsibility, cutting billions in spending and streamlining redundant and ineffective federal programs. It is a bill that provides much-needed certainty to farmers facing a mounting force of weather- and market-related unknowns, and we commend Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Cochran, members of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the entire Senate for its hard work.

“We now turn our attention to the House, and call on Representatives to move the bill quickly through the chamber this month and on to conference with the Senate before the August recess. The version of the farm bill passed earlier by the House Agriculture Committee cuts Direct Payments as part of $40 billion in total savings, and streamlines more than 100 federal programs.

“We look to both the House and the Senate to work together quickly to formalize this commitment to America’s farmers.”



NCGA Congratulates Senate on Farm Bill Passage, Urges House Action

The National Corn Growers Association today congratulates the Senate on passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (2013 farm bill).  The legislation was agreed to by a vote of 66-27. NCGA now urges the House of Representatives to quickly follow suit.

“America’s farmers greatly appreciate the leadership and bipartisan efforts by the Senate to complete their work on the farm bill,” NCGA President Pam Johnson said.  “We also recognize the efforts put forth to address regional concerns to ensure all areas of the country are adequately represented in the final language.”

NCGA has worked to advance market-oriented reforms in commodity programs to address significant gaps in the farm safety net.   The revenue-based Agriculture Risk Coverage Program, designed to complement producers’ individual crop insurance policies, will provide protection against multi-year price and production declines that adjusts with the marketplace.   This signature reform, coupled with a strong federal crop insurance program, will result in substantial budget savings for taxpayers and more effective risk management tools for corn growers.

“This legislation is long overdue and our work is still not done,” Johnson said.  “Our focus now turns to the House of Representatives with hopes that they schedule floor time to consider the legislation as soon as possible. We look forward to continuing to partner with agriculture advocates to pass a new common-sense, reform-minded farm bill.”



Statement from NCBA President Regarding Senate Passage of 2013 Farm Bill

The U.S. Senate in a 66 to 27 vote passed the 2013 Farm Bill (S. 954) today. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Cody, Wyo., issued the following statement on the passage of the legislation:

“NCBA is very pleased with today’s passage of the 2013 Farm Bill by the Senate. We commend both Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) for their leadership on this very important piece of legislation. Cattlemen and women have been asking Congress to pass a farm bill which not only provides certainty for agricultural producers nationwide, but also incorporates priorities important to the cattle industry - there is not a livestock title, conservation programs are maintained and the research title is sustained. We are also pleased that disaster assistance programs are included in this legislation which is a positive step toward providing a strong safety net for our producers.

“Passage of a 2013 Farm Bill is not only important to farmers and ranchers, but also to Americans nationwide who enjoy an abundant, safe and affordable food supply. We support the Senate’s passage of this legislation and will continue working with the House as they bring their version of the farm bill to the House floor this month. As Congress moves forward with the 2013 Farm Bill I urge family farmers and ranchers to continue their grassroots efforts and remain involved and engaged in this process.”



Senate Approves Farm Bill Containing Dairy Policy Reform
Dairy Security Act Key Feature of New Measure

For the second time in a year, the Senate has approved a comprehensive farm bill containing the dairy policy reforms backed by the National Milk Producers Federation.  The Senate passed the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 by a vote of 66-27 Monday evening.

The measure contains the Dairy Security Act backed by NMPF and its farmer members, which creates a more effective safety net for dairy producers.

“On this strong bi-partisan vote, the Senate has again shown its determination to put politics aside, and work to implement new and better policies for America, including the country’s dairy farmers,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF.  “NMPF appreciates the determination of the leaders of the Senate, and in particular, the leaders of the Agriculture Committee, Sens. Stabenow and Cochran, for shepherding this historic legislation through the Senate.”

The bill is similar to the farm bill approved last June 21st by the Senate, especially where dairy policy is concerned.  The Dairy Security Act in the measure establishes a voluntary margin insurance program, allowing farmers to better manage the twin risks of milk price and feed cost volatility.  The measure also features a market stabilization program to improve the cost-effectiveness of the program, helping farmers and taxpayers alike.  The bill’s dairy title eliminates the MILC, price support, and dairy export incentive programs.

Demonstrating the strong momentum behind the Dairy Security Act there was no effort to significantly alter the dairy title during Senate consideration of the bill, Kozak said.

“We are very pleased at the progress made during this vital step in the Farm Bill process, but we also know that much work lies ahead,” he added.  “We encourage the House of Representatives to also support its Agriculture Committee-passed bill, and reject any dairy processor-backed amendment to undermine the bill’s effectiveness by removing the market stabilization program. Prompt action in the House is necessary so that farmers won’t spend the last half of this year like they spent 2012:  expecting a harvest that never materializes.”



ACE praises bipartisan support in Senate for Blender Pumps and E15

Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the 2013 Farm Bill.

“ACE thanks the members of the U.S. Senate who voted in favor of a Farm Bill that ensures funding for critical Energy Title initiatives, particularly mandatory funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP provides vital cost-share assistance to help petroleum marketers make upgrades or install new equipment at retail stations, ensuring consumers have access to renewable and affordable fuels such as ethanol. Today’s vote highlights strong bipartisan support for market access to E15 and midlevel blends, such as E30 and E85. We will encourage Congress to include this provision in the final Farm Bill as well,” said Jennings.



NAWG Applauds Senate Passage of 2013 Farm Bill

A statement from National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Bing Von Bergen, a wheat farmer from Moccasin, Mont.:

“NAWG and the wheat growers we represent in every region of the country applaud the Senate for passing its version of the farm bill Monday on a 66 to 27 vote.

“The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 is vital policy that will help provide certainty to our farmers and support more than 16 million U.S. jobs. Importantly, the bill passed today cuts $24 billion over existing spending.

“NAWG was encouraged to see Senate Democrats and Republicans working together to pass this important bill. It has become a rare day when leaders of the two parties come together on truly bipartisan legislation. We are grateful Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran were so committed to bringing their caucuses together to ensure our growers have strong farm policy over the next five years.

“We are now looking toward the House as leaders there begin debate on their version of the farm bill in the coming weeks. We are hopeful progress will continue and a new farm and food law can be signed by Sept. 30."



NSP Applauds Senate Passage of 2013 Farm Bill

National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum farmer from southeast Colorado, released the following statement in response to the Senate passage of the Federal Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013.

“National Sorghum Producers applauds the hard work done by the Senate Ag Committee and the entire chamber delegation to successfully pass its version of the farm bill.

“As attention turns to the House, we are to the point where we need to work together to get a farm bill across the finish line. This has been a long, tough process, but we look forward to working with our Members of Congress in the coming weeks to bring this bill to its completion.”

S. 954 passed by a measure of 66-27.



Senate Passes Farm Bill with $800 Million for Energy Programs

Novozymes, the leading producer of enzymes that turn biomass into biofuels, today praised the United States Senate for passing a farm bill with dedicated funding for some of the nation’s most critical energy and job-creation programs. The bill also contains funding to grow the renewable chemicals industry, creating more opportunity for new jobs at the country’s growing biorefinery manufacturing hubs.

“Every year, we ask more of America's farmers – and every year, they meet our needs. Our farmers deserve a bill that supports their sweat and toil and we think this is it,” said Adam Monroe, Novozymes Americas Regional President. “We need a strong rural economy that puts more Americans to work in agriculture and energy. This bill offers the stable policy necessary to grow that economy. We thank the Senate for their leadership and look forward to similar wise action in the House.”

The energy title of the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 contains $800 million in funding for energy programs:
• $261M for REAP, which will provide a streamlined application process for farmers and rural businesses applying for renewable and energy efficient system projects.
• $193M for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, which provides support for farmers who wish to plant energy crops to produce and use biomass crops for conversion to advanced biofuels or bioenergy.
• $216M for the Biorefinery Assistance Program, which provides loan guarantees for renewable energy projects, expands eligibility to include biobased manufacturing and renewable chemicals.
• $130M for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative.

This is the second consecutive year the Senate’s version of the farm bill has included mandatory funding.

The energy title also funds USDA programs that help jumpstart additional biorefinery construction for advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals, dedicated energy crop feedstock development and consumer demand of biobased products – all encouraging further commercialization of the renewable industry. Eight-hundred-sixty growers in 12 states plant 59,000 acres of new energy crops a year with the assistance of Biomass Crop Assistance Program, according to the Biotechnology Industry Association.

In May 2012, Novozymes inaugurated a new biofuels enzyme manufacturing plant in Blair, Nebraska, the largest and most sophisticated plant of its kind in the United States. With $200 million in private investment, the facility created 400 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs.