At Cattlemen’s Conference, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays had the chance to visit with Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Allison Rivera, about expectations for the 2024 Farm Bill ahead of the scheduled markup.
The markup of the 2024 Farm Bill is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on May 23, 2024- click here for current details as found on the House Ag Committee website.
Regarding House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson’s 2024 Farm Bill proposal, Rivera said NCBA is pleased with what they have seen.
“We are very appreciative of the support he has shown and continues to show to cattle producers across the country,” Rivera said. “We got every single bit of dollars and cents we asked for in that animal health preparedness space. Again, as we are sitting here talking about more tools in the toolbox, we hope to not have to use these tools like the vaccine bank, but we need to have it for that case when we do.”
All in all, Rivera said NCBA fully stands behind the proposal from Chairman Thompson.
“We are pleased with the conservation title maintaining that deeper set EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) carve-out for livestock producers,” Rivera said. “There is a lot of good movement in that space kind of away from those climate-smart borders, if you will. We want those dollars in voluntary conservation programs like EQIP and CSP, but as we move forward, there is also some good disaster payment type issues that are covered in there.”
Rivera also noted some tweaks to the Livestock Indemnity Program that will be critical for producers facing tough times. Thompson’s bill also includes funding for efforts such as feral swine control, which is a large issue in Oklahoma.
“At the end of the day, we know we have a long road ahead of us, but this is a step in the right direction,” Rivera said. “Getting something done today and moving forward is a positive.”
