Findlay Times

Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5) has joined his House colleagues in urging House Leadership to fully reauthorize the Farm Bill before the end of the 118th Congress. Ohio's Fifth Congressional District, which Latta represents, is noted for having the highest agricultural income in the state.

In a letter to House Leadership, lawmakers emphasized the urgency of passing an effective farm bill: "Farmers and ranchers do not have the luxury of waiting until next Congress for the enactment of an effective farm bill. Inflation has driven production costs to the highest on record, meanwhile commodity prices across the board have fallen precipitously, creating a severe margin squeeze on farm and ranch families. A $34 billion projected loss in crop cash receipts is expected to result in the sharpest two-year decline in net cash income in our nation’s history: 31% ($69.2 billion). Farm debt, $540 billion, is the highest ever, both nominally and when adjusted for inflation. These factors show no signs of abating for all major commodities. Yet, despite the overwhelming increase in production costs, declining commodity cash receipts, and the record-breaking decline in net cash income, without intervention, federal support provided to agriculture in 2024 is projected to reach its lowest level since 1982, a year that presaged the farm financial crisis of the mid-1980s."

The letter addressed Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Majority Whip Emmer, and Conference Chair Stefanik. It highlighted various challenges faced by farmers since the last extension of the 2018 Farm Bill: "Since the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill...the agriculture sector has faced numerous headwinds...including illegal retaliatory tariffs on agricultural products, supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 pandemic..., crippling inflation,...high interest rates..."

Lawmakers reiterated their concern over delaying action: "Farmers and ranchers do not have...waiting until next Congress...Inflation has driven production costs...commodity prices across board fallen precipitously..." They warned that failure to act could lead to significant negative impacts beyond farms themselves: "...negative impacts...will not just stop at farm gate,...also hit Main Street businesses,...rural communities,...national economy."

The bipartisan H.R. 8467—The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 was mentioned as a comprehensive solution developed with extensive input from stakeholders: "This legislation is product of input received at seven House Committee on Agriculture hosted listening sessions,...reflective over 2,600 priorities submitted Committee on Agriculture by 172 members Republican Conference,...supported by hundreds stakeholder organizations..."

Lastly,the letter criticized current Democratic leadership while expressing hope for future cooperation: "The Biden-Harris Administration and Democratic Congressional Leadership have failed appreciate dire situation...stood way progress highly effective farm bill...hopeful after election year politics run course join bipartisan fashion..."