The
next farm bill needs to "strengthen the safety net so that farmers and
ranchers can manage risk, stay in business and continue to feed our
country," according to a resolution approved by the National Farmers Union
(NFU). The group noted farmers are "not only suffering from price pressure
that has reduced net farm income by half over the last four years, but
devastating wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters continue to
punish agricultural communities," NFU stated. "Trade policies
continue to promote the sale of farm products at prices below the cost of
production."
Among
efforts NFU wants to see in the next farm bill are to increase reference prices
under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program to account for the cost of production,
keep a strong crop insurance program, make cotton a covered commodity under the
commodity title of the bill and an supply management program for dairy. While
calling for more funding, odds are low that will be the case and the group also
does not signal what the cost to their 14-point wish list would be.