Agricultural groups urge Congress to protect access to key farming tools

In the letter, first obtained by Agri-Pulse, the groups argue that food-producing technologies are crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity, public health and national security. They caution that limiting access to these tools could lead to significant crop yield losses, increased wildfire risks and weakened U.S. competitiveness.

The letter highlights the role of pesticides in controlling harmful pests and preventing disease, both in agriculture and public health. The organizations also stress the benefits of genetic innovations that improve crop yields, enhance drought resistance, and protect against pests. The signatories warn that limiting access to these technologies would make U.S. agriculture more dependent on foreign competitors and could increase food insecurity.

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Citing the example of Sri Lanka’s failed ban on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which led to a 50% drop in crop yields, the groups urge Congress to avoid adopting policies that undermine the existing science-based regulatory framework. They argue that any changes should be based on scientific evidence and consider the broader economic and food security impacts.

USDA announces $1.5B investment in conservation projects

USDA has announced a $1.5 billion investment for 92 conservation projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. These projects, funded through the Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act, aim to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners adopt conservation practices that enhance natural resources and address climate change. Partners will contribute an additional $968 million to supplement the federal dollars.

The projects span various priorities, including reducing methane emissions in livestock, water conservation in drought-affected regions, and restoring wildlife habitats. Sixteen of the projects focus on water conservation in the West, while 42 promote wildlife habitat restoration. USDA has also allocated $100 million for Tribal-led initiatives, supporting seven projects involving five tribes.

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Examples include the InterTribal Buffalo Council’s efforts to restore grasslands using buffalo on tribal lands across multiple states and the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts’ work to protect 2,000 acres of ranchland. Additionally, Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture is working on reducing emissions from dairy cows and improving manure management.

Since the beginning of the Biden administration, RCPP has made 334 awards totaling more than $3 billion in USDA funding. In total, RCPP has supported over 800 projects, involving more than 4,000 partner organizations.

FARM Act proposes payment assistance for farmers facing tight margins

A member of the House Agriculture Committee has authored his own legislation aimed at providing greater assistance to farmers. Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss.)’s Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act crafted the bill to assist producers harmed by the downturn in the farm economy and ongoing Congressional delays in passing a new farm bill.

Unlike ARC and PLC programs, which rely on base acres, the FARM Act calculates payments based on the actual acres planted. For the eight major crops—corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, sorghum, oats and barley—payments are determined by a formula taking into account USDA’s projected cost of the crop, national projected returns and eligible acres.

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There are limitations to the FARM Act, including a $175,000 payment cap per entity, which increases for general partnerships but remains unchanged for LLCs and corporations. Additionally, the legislation does not adjust how equipment gains are calculated, which could disqualify some farmers from receiving benefits. The FARM Act has received positive feedback from major agricultural organizations like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Corn Growers Association.