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Conaway says Farm Bill delayed, slightly

The Chairman of the House Ag Committee says finalizing the 2018 Farm Bill will most likely happen after the first of the year.

Mike Conaway told reporters Wednesday while he hoped the bill could be finished before the end of this year, tax reform is taking precedent.

In addition to reworking crop insurance and providing support for cotton and dairy farmers, Conaway says a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank for the livestock industry is a top priority, but will require new money.  “Having that vaccine bank—most everyone agrees with it, the key is how do you pay for it? Where do you come up with the new resources and/or supplemental resources from industry or wherever that might be able to help us get that done?”

Conaway says some farm bill items will also be moved through Congress as separate pieces of legislation to help get the final measure passed.

AUDIO: Conaway Press Call