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Crop insurance could be target for cuts

Another attempt to cut federal crop insurance is expected to be part of President’s Obama’s 2017 budget proposal, which is scheduled to be released today (Tuesday).

Last year the Administration called for 16 billion dollars in cuts to the insurance program, but Congress rejected that proposal. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Ag Committee, says he doesn’t think that Congressional sentiment on crop insurance has changed.

“I’m more worried—not that Congress will cut it—I’m more worried what might happen when they have renegotiation of contracts,” Grassley says. “I’m not sure exactly when that will happen, but I don’t think that Congress is going to mess with it.”

The President’s budget is expected to contain increases for ag research, antibiotic resistance programs and renewable fuels research.

AUDIO: Excerpt from Grassley’s conference call with ag reporters on 2-9-16