Senate Republicans Introduce Farm Bill Proposal

Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman, R-AR, unveiled Senate Republicans’ farm bill proposal this week, aligning with the farm bill draft approved by the House Agriculture Committee last month, but drawing a clear contrast with the version that Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats have already proposed. The full framework can be viewed here.

The Senate GOP legislative framework outlines various dairy priorities but does not contain bill text. It contains several items important to dairy farmers, including:

• Extending the Dairy Margin Coverage program through 2029, as well as allowing producers to update their production history and continuing the 25% premium discount for those locking in multi-year coverage;
• Requiring USDA to conduct mandatory dairy plant cost surveys every two years;
• Directing USDA to modify the Class I mover to improve pricing formulas under FMMOs; and
• Advancing NMPF-led bipartisan bills to restore the option of whole and reduced-fat milk in schools, protect the use of common food names, and expedite approval of innovative feed ingredients.

The measure also extends the new conservation funding enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act, but the removes climate-smart guardrails, which Senate Democrats do not favor. As we noted in our statement, Boozman’s proposal helps advance the Farm Bill process, although it doesn’t appear that final action will occur on a bill before the election. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, told Agri-Pulse this week that she doesn’t believe the House Ag Committee’s bill can pass the full House, given the narrow margins in that chamber, as well as in the Senate.