Today at Heritage Place, close to 100 guests with a vested interest in agriculture and the farm bill were in attendance to listen to the Chairman of the House Ag Committee, GT Thompson, and Congressman Frank Lucas. The event was moderated by Oklahoma Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director, KC Sheperd attended the event and was able to bring back audio from the speakers.
Also in attendance were Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Rodd Moesel, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Michael Kelsey, and American Farmers and Ranchers’ Scott Blubaugh. Many Oklahoma legislators made an appearance, along with Oklahoma State University’s Dr. Jason Lusk.
Chairman Thompson voiced that an extension on the expired farm bill will be needed.
“The extension will help to avoid any significant and harmful consequences,” Thompson said.
Regarding the extension, Congressman Frank Lucas said that an extension will provide certainty, which is critical.
“Always remember that when we complete the new farm bill and it is signed into law by the president, it will take effect immediately,” Lucas said.
As the USDA is looking at new types of risk management programs under the guidance of Congress, Thompson said through his travels and speaking with those in the ag industry, the insurance programs are the biggest priority to be able to sustain those who provide us with food and fiber.
One of the things being looked at, Thompson said, is helping beginning farmers and ranchers.
Congressman Frank Lucas said a key component in the next farm bill will be making sure that all commodity groups and regions have access in an equitable fashion to programs that will better their success.
“My definition of American agriculture is pretty straightforward,” Thompson said. “It is three words: science, technology and innovation. All three of those are what make us competitive around the world.”
Facilitating completion rather than hindering it, Thompson said, is something worthy of inclusion.
“Certainly fostering competition and fostering markets is a really important thing, so I think inherently it will be an important part of the farm bill,” Thompson said.
Lucas expressed frustration that the Justice Department has not concluded their investigation on the antimonopoly and antitrust Packers and Stockyards Act.
“I think there is a certain hesitation in Congress to take action until they finish their investigation so we know the magnitude of the problem we face,” Lucas said.
Other topics discussed at the meeting included:
- Outreach and education for land grant universities
- Finding additional dollars for the farm bill
- Water and water use gains and incentives
- Pushing back on green energy
- Discussion of subsidies to go with higher interest rate cost with family
farms
- Incorporating disaster relief into some insurance programs
