High Priority and Highly Motivated: Sen. Moran is optimistic that new Farm Bill discussions will happen soon

“I think there’s a lot of embarrassment that the Farm Bill didn’t get done when it should have last year...”

The 119th Congress has its hands full when it comes to its long list of action items considered a priority.

Senator Jerry Moran recognizes that agriculture needs are included in that list, with crop insurance top of mind.

According to Sen. Moran, “If you ask a farmer in Kansas, what’s the most important thing the federal government does in regard to farming your operation? It’s crop insurance. And that gives us the chance that young farmers can farm. It allows a farmer to go to his or her banker and have a conversation that in bad times I’m still going to have income that can pay back a loan and crop insurance will be a major and significant, in fact, a high priority that— perhaps the highest priority for me and making sure that crop insurance is protected during the debate, the discussion, and the passage of a Farm Bill.”

In terms of a timeline for the next Farm Bill, the senator says that he expects movement on the legislation to be fast.

“I think the Senate is ready to move and ready to move in the first few months of the new session,” Sen. Moran adds. “And the question is, ‘Will the House be able to follow us or come alongside to get a House bill done, to get a Farm Bill done in the House early?’ And, a lot of interest in doing this. I think there’s a lot of embarrassment that the Farm Bill didn’t get done when it should have last year, and so, there’s a real will of making certain— a desire to make certain we get it done early in 2025.”

The 119th Congress is now just days into its term. Senate leader John Thune, who also sits on the Ag Committee, has said the Farm Bill is a priority.

Related Stories
Jed Bower, the incoming president of the National Corn Growers Association, joined us for his sector’s perspective on the ongoing government shutdown.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week said an announcement would be made on Tuesday. However, that self-imposed deadline has now passed.
Dr. Todd Davis, Chief Economist with the Indiana Farm Bureau, shares a snapshot of his state’s harvest conditions and insights from producers.
Lewis Williamson, from HTS Commodities, joined us to share insights on the farm economy from producers in the field.
Congress has just over a month of working days left for the year. Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
“A government shutdown impacts all Americans and has serious consequences, including for farmers. It just adds additional uncertainty, disrupts critical services.”