Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office ruled Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack could use the Commodity Credit Corporation to fund climate programs, but some lawmakers wanted to limit his authority on using it.
The 2024 Ag Spending Bill held a provision to roll back Secretary Vilsack’s CCC spending authority. That move failed on the House floor, and the Senate bill did not even include it. However, Senator John Hoeven with the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee says feelings around CCC spending largely depend on who is in office.
Spending restrictions were put in place after the 2010 Congressional campaign, but were lifted in 2018 to compensate farmers for the trade war with China and the pandemic.
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Supporters say reforming the H-2A program is critical to maintaining a stable agricultural workforce and ensuring farms can continue producing food while remaining economically viable.
The NCBA says the Senate Farm Bill strengthens key cattle programs but leaves Proposition 12 and year-round E15 unresolved while officials respond to New World screwworm cases.
The administration says the rule clarifies enforcement, while opponents warn it could reduce protections for endangered species.
Temporary aid is often delayed, uncertain, and repeated assistance may also contribute to higher input costs.
USDA’s July WASDE report projects the smallest U.S. wheat crop since 1970, tighter corn stocks, stronger soybean exports, larger cotton supplies, and higher cattle prices.
