Duvall Visits Western New York to Talk Farm Bill

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall visited Western New York on Tuesday to speak with farmers about their concerns about the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.

The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30, and Congress is currently working on a new bill. The 2023 Farm Bill is expected to be a major piece of legislation, with a price tag of $1.5 trillion.

Duvall said that the cornerstone of the Farm Bill for farmers is crop insurance. Crop insurance is a risk management tool that helps farmers protect their income against crop losses due to weather, pests, or other factors.

Duvall also said that the Farm Bill should continue to support food assistance programs, which provide food to millions of Americans in need. He also said that the Farm Bill should support conservation and climate-smart farming practices.

In New York, the major concerns for the Farm Bill come down to labor regulations and dairy policies. Duvall said that labor is the biggest issue facing American agriculture, and that the Farm Bill should address the shortage of agricultural workers.

Duvall also said that the Farm Bill should protect the dairy industry, which is facing challenges from low milk prices and competition from foreign producers.

Kim Skellie, a co-owner of El-Vi Farms in Newark, said that his farm participates in a few programs that are funded through the Farm Bill. One of these programs is the Dairy Margin Coverage program, which provides financial assistance to dairy farmers when milk prices fall below a certain level.

Skellie said that the Farm Bill is important to farmers because it provides them with support and resources. He encouraged farmers to engage with their commodity groups and the Farm Bureau to make their voices heard during the Farm Bill debate.

The Farm Bill is a complex piece of legislation that has a significant impact on farmers, consumers, and the environment. Duvall's visit to Western New York is a reminder of the importance of the Farm Bill and the need for farmers to be involved in the legislative process.