Senator John Boozman recently engaged with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, emphasizing the critical role farm broadcasters play in disseminating vital information to the agricultural community. He acknowledged the current financial struggles faced by farmers across various sectors, stating, “It doesn’t matter what you’re growing. If you’re growing something, you’re losing money. It just doesn’t it just doesn’t pencil out. It will cost more to raise the crop than you can sell it for.” He highlighted the substantial economic and disaster aid provided to farmers but stressed the need for sustainable risk management tools, particularly in the upcoming farm bill and reconciliation process.
Boozman discussed the collaborative efforts with House and Senate colleagues, including Representatives like GT Thompson and Senators like Amy Klobuchar, to address these challenges. He emphasized the importance of securing risk management tools, stating, “What we’ve got to do now is look for some ability for them to hedge for this next year. And that’s really what all the discussions are about right now: how do we get that done? How do we get a farm bill passed? How do we get these essential risk management tools in place?” He expressed a desire to separate the risk management components from the broader farm bill to expedite assistance to farmers, followed by addressing other policy matters like research and trade.
Regarding the reconciliation process, Boozman addressed the significant cost discrepancies between the House and Senate proposals, stating, “It’s, and I don’t know where the 230 came from. I don’t know where the billion came from.”
He acknowledged the need for savings, particularly within the SNAP program, which constitutes a significant portion of the farm bill’s expenditure, but affirmed a commitment to not cutting benefits. Boozman also touched on the debate regarding restrictions on SNAP purchases, expressing a preference for education over government mandates on dietary choices.
He also discussed ongoing efforts to address agricultural concerns with Mexico, including screwworm issues, and the need for a comprehensive approach to agricultural policy, emphasizing bipartisan collaboration. Click the listen bar at the top of the page to hear his complete comments.
Boozman addressed the push for a standalone farm bill, highlighting Senator Thune’s support and the general consensus among members to pass a comprehensive bill. He acknowledged the difficulties in navigating the current economic climate for farmers, noting, “Members are understanding how difficult it is in farm country, and just the dire predicament. We’re talking about farmers, about not seeing anything like this since the 80s. This is a generational thing.” Given their limited control over input costs and market prices, he stressed the necessity of establishing safety nets for farmers.
