According to The Hagstrom Report – House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says there’s a fifty-fifty chance Congress will pass a farm bill this year. If both houses don’t approve a measure by August – he says Congress will need to extend some authorities and then wait for the lame duck session. Peterson notes some are talking about an extension – but says others won’t go along with that if there are cuts.

On the issue of crop insurance – Peterson is opposed to more cuts until the effects of the 2008 farm bill cuts, the renegotiation of the standard reinsurance agreement and the rerating of certain policies are fully understood.

On the Senate side – Peterson says a recent conversation with Chair Debbie Stabenow shows she’s having a difficult time sorting out the various commodity proposals. She has also joined Republican Pat Roberts in opposing increases in target prices. Peterson says those are two battles House Committee members cannot help with. If the Senate can work things out on the commodity side, on crop insurance and on conservation – Peterson says it will put a lot of pressure on the House to do something. If the Senate passes a measure with a 23-billion dollar cut over 10 years and the House gets a bill with a 33-billion dollar cut – Peterson says it would be “conferenceable.

Courtesy: NAFB News