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ASA working on improved safety net for next farm bill

American Soybean Association economist Scott Gerlt says they’re taking early steps on working on the next farm bill and that includes the safety net.

“We saw soybeans lose nearly a third of their demand during the trade war but PLC payments were never triggered for soybeans. So, really, the basic farm safety net didn’t really come into play in that period.”

He says they’re looking at ways to provide an improved safety net – which the Price Loss Coverage program is a part of – in the event something like the trade war with China happens again. Gerlt says ASA is getting farmer feedback for the next farm bill while also looking at sustainability and conservation programs.

Gerlt made his comments during the AgriPulse Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City co-sponsored by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.