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Farmer perspectives on the farm bill

Farmers and ranchers continue to pay close attention to farm bill discussions.

Eastern Iowa farmer Dave Walton serves on the American Soybean Association’s Board of Directors. He says producers need a stronger farm safety net. “Making sure ARC and PLC are working the way they are supposed to, and providing sort of a counter cyclical base under the market,” Walton said.

Northwest Iowa farmer Kelly Nieuwenhuis says trade programs need a boost in funding. “MAP and FMD funding has been stagnant for 20 years and hasn’t changed,” he said. “There’s been some legislation asking to double that.”

Nieuwenhuis serves on a farm bill ag advisory team for Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Iowa.

The current farm bill expires in September.