Farm Bill Set to Expire This Sunday
By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: September 25, 2012
In just five days the 2008 Farm Bill is set to expire, and Congress has left session without extending it or passing another one. Speaker of the House John Boehner said just the other day that "the house will deal with the farm bill after the election".
"This isn't the first time a farm bill has expired without another one in place yet," said Steve Verett of Plains Cotton Growers.
But should local farmers be worried about this expiration?
"The one thing I think producers need to understand is that its not going to be the end of farm programs as we know it or certainly anything to do with the current crop that they are producing today," said Verett.
Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers Steve Verett says this expiration means farmers will have to change their planning for 2013 and beyond. He says they've been working with the House Ag Committee on the new plan.
He said, "Try to make sure that what comes out will provide as much basic support for our region, our agricultural producers whether they are producing cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts, wheat whatever."
Verett is hopeful that after the election Congress can reach a deal since a new farm bill would bring substantial spending cuts.
"Senate saves 23 billion over 10 years; the House Agricultural Committee passed bill saves about 35 billion. You know with the fiscal situation that this country faces, there may be an opportunity that somebody will be ready in that lame-duck session to pass the farm bill, mainly to take advantage of those savings. "
