Failure of the U.S. Congress to pass a farm bill during the last legislative session and apparent apathy from leaders in the House of Representatives to take up the issue anytime soon creates an air of uncertainty and skepticism from farmers and the agricultural industry, according to an agriculture economics professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Darren Hudson, professor and Combest Chair of Agricultural Competitiveness, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, says extending the current farm bill for nine months delays action, eliminates the possibility of a sudden and steep rise in milk prices but makes no significant changes in farm programs.
As Congress turns its attention to debt ceiling and debt reduction issues, farm programs may offer a tempting target. “Agriculture is getting washed up into much bigger debates and that puts agriculture at a severe disadvantage,” Hudson said.