TFB president requests Farm Bill passage

Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke has asked the Texas Congressional delegation to pass the 2014 Farm Bill.

In a letter to Texas representatives of the U.S. House and both Texas members of the Senate, the leader of the state’s largest farm organization said farmers, ranchers and consumers have waited patiently for two years for the conclusion of this legislation.

“While there may be issues in the bill not supported by Farm Bureau, it is critical that farmers and ranchers have certainty moving forward with the 2014 crop,” Dierschke wrote, noting that planting time is a few short weeks away in the southern part of the state.

He said Farm Bureau recognizes the controversy surrounding the nutrition title of the bill while realizing the compromise reached by conferees brings about some much-needed reforms. The farm titles do offer some very important compromises, including considerable savings to reduce the federal budget and strengthening and protecting crop insurance while not reducing funding, he said.

Dierschke commended the conferees for moving forward yesterday to complete work on the farm bill legislation and urged the full House and Senate to act in the same manner.

“While not perfect, it is critical that this legislation be passed and sent to the president,” Dierschke wrote. “This legislation is extremely important to farmers, ranchers and rural Texans.”