Soy farmers grateful for House ag-committee chairman’s continued focus on critical farm-bill programs

The American Soybean Association announced May 15 that it is grateful for Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s continued, steadfast support of farm-bill programs that are critical to U.S. soybean farmers.

The House agriculture committee has completed a two-day markup of budget-reconciliation legislation the chairman is using as a vehicle to advance farm-bill priorities that are key for ASA.

Rep. Thompson, R-Pennsylvania

“It is no secret the farm economy is in a dire situation, and ASA appreciates the efforts of Chairman Thompson to highlight the needs of farmers, including increasing reference prices for commodities, increasing support for market access programs and more,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland, who grows soy in Kentucky.

“ASA continues to urge Congress to work toward passing a much-needed five-year farm bill this year but is encouraged to see continued congressional support for our top priorities,” Ragland added.

The budget-reconciliation package marked up by the House ag committee contains several provisions ASA advocated for during the farm-bill negotiations of the last Congress, including:

• Increasing reference prices for soybeans.

• Strengthening crop insurance.

• Doubling funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program.

• Making improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage program and Price Loss Coverage program.

• Investing in conservation programs.

• Investing in agricultural research.

• Reauthorizing farm-bill biobased and biofuel programs, including BioPreferred.

The multicommittee budget-reconciliation process includes myriad policy priorities for congressional Republicans.

While this is just an early step in the larger reconciliation process, ASA said it is pleased the House agriculture committee is keeping farmer priorities top of mind as work continues to draft a comprehensive five-year farm bill.