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KENTUCKY WEATHER

Kentucky farmers hope for comprehensive farm bill in 2025

Kentucky farmers hope for comprehensive farm bill in 2025


By Blake Jackson

Despite the hopes of many in the agricultural community, the 2018 Farm Bill has been extended for another year, rather than replaced with a new bill that better reflects the current economy.

The farm bill plays a crucial role in supporting farmers, funding nutrition programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), protecting crop insurance, and setting reference prices. It serves as a safety net for farmers, helping them stay afloat until the next year.

On December 21, the administration signed a government funding bill, which included a one-year farm bill extension and approximately $30 billion in agriculture-related aid.

However, since the bill is based on the 2018 economy, it may not provide enough financial support to farmers struggling with today’s higher input costs.

Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association, expressed disappointment over the extension. "We're glad to see an extension passed that helps in the short run, but in the big picture, we're disappointed to not see a new farm bill. We need reference pricing that is relevant to today's economy. We're using reference prices that are over 10 years old and aren't relevant," said Ragland.

The Kentucky Farm Bureau also issued a statement, expressing appreciation for the extension but calling for a comprehensive farm bill in 2025.

Keith Lowry, president of Lowry Farms, stressed the economic struggles farmers are facing due to high input costs and low market prices. "At the end of the day, we need better trade. We need to sell our products all over the world. We need our input to go down just a little bit," said Lowry.

Ragland and Lowry both hope that a new farm bill will address these issues and bring relief to farmers, particularly in Kentucky, when it is passed in 2025.

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