Senate Ag Committee Hears Calls for Stronger Farm Safety Net

In the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the farm economy. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke about the need for an updated farm bill to help farmers during tough economic times. “The USDA’s most recent farm sector income forecast has shown a $41 billion decrease in net farm income, down 25 percent from 2022,” testified Duvall. “Despite lower prices, 2024 payments out of the farm bill going to farmers are projected to be the lowest since 1982.” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew echoed those thoughts. “We cannot afford a third extension of the 2018 Farm Bill; this farm bill should include strengthening the farm safety net and providing farmers with robust risk management tools, investing in voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, supporting the next generation of farmers, and keeping the farm bill coalition together.”