Wiesemeyer: Specialty Crops Still Need More Aid

The House approved a package of funding bills to avoid a government shutdown. It’s now up to the Senate to act by Friday. The chance of another government shutdown is up after the shooting death by a federal officer over the weekend. Efforts to include additional federal aid for agriculture were shut down last week. Washington, D.C. analyst Jim Wiesemeyer says Congress is still looking to strengthen what he calls an “anemic” administration plan, especially for specialty crops. “One billion dollars sounds like a lot, but not for specialty crops, especially when you include sugar and potatoes,” Wiesemeyer said. “I’ve met with more than a few sugarbeet growers in the Red River Valley lately, and they’re losing a lot of money per acre.” Wiesemeyer says the Senate plan would likely raise payment caps and ease AGI restrictions, changes he believes would help farmers.