ASA encouraged by Senate farm-bill framework

The American Soybean Association welcomed June 23 the release of a draft farm bill by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, which includes key priorities for U.S. soybean farmers and makes important investments in the farm safety net, conservation, rural development, research and market opportunities for soybean farmers.

“Soybean farmers need the certainty and stability that only a five-year farm bill can provide,” said ASA President Scott Metzger. “We appreciate Chairman Boozman and the Senate agriculture committee for developing a framework that recognizes the challenges facing agriculture and includes several priorities important to U.S. soybean producers. We look forward to reviewing the draft legislation and working with lawmakers as the farm-bill process moves forward.”

The framework includes several ASA-supported provisions, including legislation to advance plant biostimulants, expand conservation technical assistance, improve fertilizer research, strengthen rural broadband deployment, increase access to technical service providers and support precision-agriculture technologies.

The farm-bill draft also pursues advancements in market development and rural economic growth through the reauthorization of international food-assistance programs, including McGovern-Dole, expanded access to guaranteed loans, additional flexibility within farm-storage loan programs, eligibility for precision-agriculture equipment under the Conservation Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program, and the codification of the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.

In addition, the proposal includes several priorities that support growing domestic markets for soy through new uses, including increased funding for the Biobased Markets (BioPreferred) Program, improvements to the Biorefinery Assistance Program and the Rural Energy for America Program, and a directive for USDA to establish a department-wide sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) strategy.

ASA said it is hopeful this discussion draft will facilitate bipartisan negotiations to secure a pathway toward final passage in the Senate.