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Farm Bureau members seek answers to farm bill questions

The president of Missouri Farm Bureau says there are several unanswered questions about the next farm bill.

“When are we going to get a farm bill?”

Garrett Hawkins says that’s the big question Farm Bureau members want an answer on as they meet with lawmakers in Washington D.C. this week.

“Congress gave us breathing room, so to speak, by giving us an extension. But people recognize much has changed in the world since the 2018 Farm Bill was passed and we need to make sure we’re having robust discussions.”

Hawkins says Farm Bureau members want an adequate safety net that preserves crop insurance “there are always recommended tweaks like in the Pasture Rangeland and Forage program for livestock producers that have grazing animals.”

He says farmers also want updates to the farm safety net and a conservation title that includes “common sense conservation.”

Missouri, Minnesota and Ohio Farm Bureaus heard more about the farm bill as they met with Senate Ag Committee member Amy Klobuchar on Wednesday.