Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall have criticized a new Farm Bill that was submitted Monday.
A 1,400-page bill was released by Democratic senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, and Republican senators have complained that they had no advance notice or a chance to cooperate in the drafting of the bill.
In a statement on social media, Senator Moran said, ” I am disappointed Congress is unable to deliver certainty to Kansas farmers & ranchers by passing a new Farm Bill. Chairwoman Stabenow’s legislation is over a year late and missed the opportunity for bipartisan outcomes. We now focus fully on the Senate Appropriations Committee to negotiate a natural disaster and economic assistance supplemental for farmers & ranchers who have suffered from high input costs and low commodity prices along with drought.”
Senator Marshall released a statement saying, “Thoughtful negotiation and bipartisan cooperation are essential to delivering a Farmers First Farm Bill that Kansans deserves…as a member of the Senate Ag Committee representing Kansas agriculture, I remain committed to reviewing this bill and advocating for the needs of our farmers and ranchers. With farmers facing record decreases in net farm income, we must put FARM back in the Farm bill by increasing crop insurance coverage and reference prices for the American farmer.”
On another issue, Senator Marshall has announced new flexibilities for winter grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in Kansas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the state’s request for a waiver allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director to approve CRP grazing until March 1st, 2025 on a case-by-case basis.
Senator Marshall said in a press release, “Increased flexibility over the use of Kansas’ CRP ground gives our farmers and ranchers the ability to support America’s food supply year-round. Grazing and proper land management improves the quality of the grass and creates more suitable habitats for wildlife. I encourage Kansas ranchers to take advantage of this opportunity to fully utilize our grasslands.”
