At the Kansas Farm Bureau’s agricultural leadership summit on September 7, a member of the House Agriculture Committee from the First District expressed concerns about the challenges facing farmers and ranchers. The representative noted that rising input costs and falling commodity prices have created uncertainty, despite strong crop yields in some areas.
He pointed out that weather variability within the same county has impacted yields, with some fields benefiting from rain while others missed out. The 2018 farm bill, extended in 2023, has provided a baseline of support, but there is a need for updated legislation to address current agricultural conditions.
“I have gone to the (House) floor 33 times urging Congress to get a farm bill passed,” he said, emphasizing that net farm income is projected to decline for a second consecutive year. The House Agriculture Committee passed a bipartisan farm bill, and discussions continue with the Senate to finalize the bill.
Crop insurance is central to the bill, providing farmers with risk management tools. The representative highlighted that crop insurance is a highly successful public-private partnership. The House bill also includes a provision to double USDA funds to expand export opportunities.
Additionally, the representative called for stronger oversight, as the farm bill is expected to cost $1.5 trillion (about $4,600 per person in the US) over 10 years, with 80% of the funds allocated for nutrition programs.
Concerns About Federal Budget and Estate Tax: U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the Fourth District also weighed in on the federal budget. Estes expects Congress to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government temporarily, noting that borrowing $1 for every $3 spent is unsustainable.
He endorsed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and expressed concerns over the potential expiration of the “death tax” exemptions, which help farmers transition operations to the next generation without selling assets to cover estate taxes.
