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ACRE discussed at Sioux Falls farm bill hearing

Another field hearing on the 2012 Farm Bill took place Tuesday, this one in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The ACRE program was one of the main topics of discussion.  In general, growers like the revenue protection the program offers, but also agree that it needs to be more localized.  Gary Duffy of Oldham, South Dakota is the president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association.

“I know what my production history has been.  As a marketer, I’m somewhat guessing on the price—but to have that state trigger, it’s kind of tough to get your arms around it,” Duffy says. “So I think that’s one of the things we would like to do is to get it more localized, at least down to the county level.”

Oldham says ACRE is complex, which makes it difficult to explain to landlords. “It’s complicated enough for me to figure—but for me to explain it to my 75- or 80-year old landlord is going to be really tough.”

AUDIO: Gary Duffy’s opening remarks at Sioux Falls hearing (7:30 MP3)