National Farmers Union President Rob Larew would still like to see the farm bill completed during the lame duck session. Kicking this legislation into next year does not solve any problems. “Next year, we may be talking about making cuts in a farm bill, not adding and strengthening the safety net and we cannot find ourselves in that situation.” Larew said it is not known how a farm bill fits into President-Elect Trump’s agenda “and that’s not good for farmers and ranchers.” Much of the heavy lifting has already been done for this farm bill. Larew believes the farm bill’s fate rests with Trump and his willingness to clear the deck so he can focus on other priorities. “If he sends the signal that we need to get this farm bill wrapped up here at the end of the year before he’s sworn into office, I think it’ll get done.”
