University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute Director Pat Westhoff is not optimistic that a new farm bill will be finished before the end of the year. “The fact that we haven’t been able to reach a compromise yet on the bill makes it difficult to imagine how we get the entire thing done during a short lame duck session.” Westhoff believes there is more support for economic relief. “I do think the chance of some sort of economic assistance package is probably a bit higher,” Westhoff told RRFN. “Separate from a farm bill, a shorter-term bill that might actually provide some additional support to farmers might still be possible.”
