Source: Susan Kelly, MEATINGPLACE, 6/14/18


The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday passed by a 20-1 vote a 2018 farm bill that would renew farm subsidy programs and extend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, widely known as food stamps, according to media reports.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a version of the bill, with Democrats opposed to provisions related to food stamp changes and Republicans divided over immigration issues.

The 1,000-page Senate bill renews far.m safety-net programs such as subsidies for crop insurance, farm credit and land conservation.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera issued a statement in support of the legislation.

“This brings us closer to providing producers with the certainty they need to focus on their operations and feed the world. While areas of improvement remain, the Senate bill does include some important provisions that address the priorities of America’s cattlemen and women,” Rivera said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa voted against the Senate bill because his amendment to limit farm safety net payments wasn't included in it. Grassley wants to tighten the federal payments to focus on family-size farm operations, according to CNBC.

“I intend to offer an amendment on the Senate floor to include common sense payment limits in the 2018 farm bill. A similar amendment passed the Senate in the last farm bill and should pass again,” Grassley said in a statement.

The Senate bill includes hemp legalization legislation that is backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
The farm bill is usually renewed every five years, and the current version is set to expire Sept. 30.

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