Farm Bill Set to Expire, U.S. Government Shutdown Looms

Sep 30, 2013

Farm Bill Set to Expire, U.S. Government Shutdown Looms

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

Without congressional action today, the U.S. government may shutdown tonight, which would affect non-essential services of the government. In addition to budget woes, the 2008 Farm Bill extension is also set to expire by midnight. September 30 marks the end of the one-year extension of the 2008 farm bill.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its procedures amid the growing anticipation of a shutdown. The shutdown would affect an estimated 100,000 people who work at the USDA. Food safety inspection will continue as an essential service. In an interview, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the department has to prepare for the likelihood of a possible shutdown.

If Congress doesn’t pass a new spending bill, the government will shutdown on Tuesday. The last time the U.S. government shutdown was under President Bill Clinton from Dec. 5, 1995 to Jan. 6, 1996.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.