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Woodall: Food security is national security

The head of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says protecting funding for farm bill programs will be a priority in 2023.

Colin Woodall says the ag industry is ready to put up a fight to ensure dollars are allocated for programs like research.  “When you look at the amount of money that’s been given out by the federal government over the past several years, for us to then be cut is just disingenuous,” he says.  “We have to make sure the funding is there to protect the food producers of this country. 

He tells Brownfield, without it, national security is at risk.  “Because food security is national security,” he says.  

Woodall says the significance of the research title is often overlooked.  “The research function of the USDA and our land grant universities, and the money they get from the farm bill is critical to providing us the tools to be better producers and protect ourselves from foreign animal diseases,” he says.  

Woodall says as the 2023 Farm Bill debate begins, NCBA and its members will work with Congress to ensure funding isn’t taken from the farm bill to pay for other programs.   

Brownfield interviewed Woodall at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, LA.  

AUDIO: Colin Woodall, NCBA

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