Mixed reactions to extension of 2018 farm bill

By Scout Nelson

The agricultural community has met the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill with mixed feelings. The delay, brought on by a potential government shutdown, has provided some reassurance for the upcoming year but has also stalled progress on updating the bill, according to North Dakota Farmer’s Union President Mark Watne. He pointed out that while the extension preserves current programs, it interrupts ongoing discussions for improvements.

Montana Grain Growers Association President Nathan Keane echoed these sentiments, highlighting specific areas needing revision, such as the reference prices for wheat. Keane pointed out that the current reference price does not meet the breakeven point for wheat production, underscoring the need for better risk mitigation in the next bill.

With the Farm Bill now in place through September, attention turns to when Congress will resume work on the new legislation. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) have both expressed a commitment to advancing the Farm Bill, emphasizing the importance of its timely completion.

The Farm Bill is crucial for farmers, offering support during challenging times, and also for the public, through funding for nutritional programs like SNAP. Watne and Keane have pledged to maintain pressure on legislators to ensure the bill's reauthorization over a new six-year term.

Historically, this isn't the first extension the Farm Bill has experienced; the 2018 bill was also signed into law months past its original deadline, reflecting a pattern of delays in agricultural legislation.