As expected, U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns unveiled a truly comprehensive proposal for the 2007 farm bill this morning featuring more than 60 detailed policy recommendations in all. Johanns told reporters the concepts came from farmers themselves who spoke and offered written comments as part of the 2005 and 2006 USDA farm bill forums.
"We learned a tremendous amount from them," Johanns declared, "and that became the foundation on which we built these recommendations."
Among the highlights of the USDA proposals, anyone with an adjusted gross income of more than $200,000 per year would be ineligible for farm program payments and USDA would end the three entity rule. Johanns said those proposals would by themselves save $1.5 billion.
Now I don't even begin to understand or comprehend the Farm Bill. I've never had much to do with it and don't understand the intestacies of it. I present a little information here because it does involve agriculture and the Farm Bill does affect what my calves bring since it affects feed prices. I will let somebody else who understands it comment on it more. I will point out that there is more than payments to farmers in the Farm Bill. This is an old myth that the Farm Bill just hands out money to farmers. It is also used for rural area developments, funding of food stamp programs, and this year renewable energy development. So it does affect everybody and it is of interest to more people than just farmers.
I am sure there is going to be some screaming and howling all over the country about getting rid of the three entity rule and limiting payments. They might save money but there will be people that are upset. I know quite a few people that love to "farm the program" and these proposals will hit them hard.
The official USDA news release can be found here. Some of the same information as before but does give the link that leads to the actual proposals.
The USDA seems to be very happy that their plan comes in $10 billion less than the 2002 Farm Bill. That's all fine and dandy but the Congress hasn't got a hold of it yet. I am sure they will increase spending dramatically from these starting points and we will see a special interest packed, bloated bill come out in the end. Just wait and see. Farm state House members are licking their lips over this just waiting to add things to it to help their districts.
Let not our proposal be disregarded on the score of our youth. Virgil
