WFU Leader Has Mixed Thoughts on Farm Bill

Wisconsin Ag Connection - The president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union says this week's passage of the farm bill is welcome news in farm country, where net farm income is at its lowest point in more than a decade. But Darin Von Ruden says the ag spending plan isn't perfect. In an editorial released this week, Von Ruden said his group is pleased to see continued support for conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

"We are also encouraged by the reauthorization of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, a program that is direly needed given the current economic and mental health crises plaguing rural America," Von Ruden said. "And we urge funding of that to be a priority in the next appropriations cycle."

But he said the WFU is disappointed to see the bill does not contain Senator Chuck Grassley's proposal to strengthen payment limitations for Title I programs.

"WFU supported the payment limits, which would have ensured that federal commodity payments are directed only to farmers actively participating in both the labor and risk of a farm operation," Von Ruden wrote. "Unfortunately, the passage of the Farm Bill isn't a silver bullet that will solve the farm crisis that has put hundreds of Wisconsin dairy farmers out of business this year. The agricultural community and political leaders still have important work to do to create meaningful solutions that will dig farmers out from under the depressed farm economy."

The Vernon County dairy producer adds that replacing the dairy Margin Protection Program with Dairy Margin Coverage is a welcome change for smaller-scale producers, and that the WFU will continue to advocate for further improvements to dairy policy.

The 2018 Farm Bill cleared both the House and Senate with bipartisan support this week. It now awaits the president's signature before taking effect.

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