According to Texas Representative Mike Conaway – Chairman of the House Ag Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management – the Senate Ag Committee’s version of the farm bill just won’t cut it for folks across all regions. He says it isn’t equitable or fair to crops and commodities across the country – criteria set by House Ag Chair Frank Lucas. According to Conaway – the Senate bill actually creates a new program that is so lopsided it locks in profits for some while denying any safety net at all to others. Conaway also questions whether the Senate bill provides the protection needed if prices collapse.

Conaway led a hearing focused on commodity programs and crop insurance Wednesday and Thurdsay. The two-day hearing was part of the series of House Ag hearings on agricultural policy in advance of the writing of the farm bill. Four panels of witnesses – including economists and leaders from various commodity and ag groups – described how programs are working under current law and how reforms can be made. They stressed the need for a fair and effective safety net and a strong crop insurance program.