Farm Bill Gains Support from Soybean Farmers Nationwide
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has expressed its appreciation for Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s unwavering support of farm bill programs vital to U.S. soybean producers.
The House Agriculture Committee recently concluded a two-day markup of budget reconciliation legislation, which Chairman Thompson is using to promote key farm bill priorities.
“It is no secret the farm economy is in a dire situation, and ASA appreciates the efforts of Chairman Thompson to highlight the needs of farmers, including increasing reference prices for commodities, increasing support for market access programs and more,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland, who grows soy in Kentucky. “ASA continues to urge Congress to work toward passing a much-needed five-year farm bill this year but is encouraged to see continued congressional support for our top priorities.”
The reconciliation package includes several provisions ASA has long championed, such as:
- Raising reference prices for soybeans
- Enhancing crop insurance
- Doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD)
- Improving the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs
- Increasing investments in conservation and agricultural research
- Reauthorizing biobased and biofuel initiatives, including the BioPreferred program
This budget reconciliation effort is part of a broader legislative process involving multiple committees and Republican policy goals. While still in the early stages, ASA is encouraged by the House Agriculture Committee’s focus on farmer needs as work progresses on a comprehensive five-year farm bill.