AgCountry Farm Credit Services Senior Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs Howard Olson met with lawmakers this past week at Farmfest. That follows a trip to Washington, D.C. the previous week for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives meeting. The biggest farm bill hurdle appears to be finding a way to pay for the various priorities. “No one seems to be able to see how we’re going to unlock that and where can we come together on that.” Timing is another problem. Even if the farm bill was passed today, it wouldn’t take effect until the 2025 crop year. “Farmers won’t see the benefit of new reference prices until the fall of 2026.” A vote during the lame-duck session or another farm bill extension are both possible.
