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Vilsack: Ask the right 2018 farm bill question

Agriculture Secretary Tom VilsackAg Secretary Tom Vilsack says preparation for the 2018 Farm Bill should start with the right question, “The conversation in 2011/’12 started with, ‘We have to save money.’ The first way to start this conversation should be, ‘What is the need? What is the total need??

There’s urgency to begin the Farm Bill process amid low commodity prices and the resulting economic challenges for farmers.

Vilsack says if the focus is on the needs of farmers and ranchers, the next farm bill process should be much smoother than previous ones, “My hope is that the conversation starts the right way and that it moves expeditiously to a conclusion, so that there is not the uncertainty that we had in 2011, ’12, ’13.”

With cost savings the goal of lawmakers in recent five-year Farm Bills, Vilsack says interests were pitted against each other, which prolonged the debate and delayed passage.

~USDA

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