URBANDALE,
Iowa - Today the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) released
its goals for the 2007 Farm Bill. Recently both the U.S. House
and Senate asked for ISA’s recommendations.
“Our members have repeatedly expressed their support for
the current farm program, and government expenses have been billions
of dollars less than originally projected,” says Ron Heck,
chairman of the Iowa Farm Issues Task Force and an At-Large director
for ISA. “We believe the Commodity Title should be strengthened
by adjusting loan rate and target prices to reflect 2000-2004
market prices. The remaining budget baseline funding for direct
payments should be converted to risk management vouchers.
“The majority of Iowa farmland is rented, and direct payments
add to rental costs,” says Heck. “Risk management
vouchers for crop insurance or other risk management needs would
strengthen the safety net for working farmers without inflating
land values.”
ISA supports the current farm bill language on payment limitations. “Nationally,
38 percent of farms produce 92 percent of food and only receive
87 percent of direct payments,” says Heck. “Often
times, payment limitations are quoted as being disproportionate,
but in reality, they are not.
Under the Research Title, ISA believes the soybean industry very
much needs specific funding for soybean research. “ISA's
priority research issue would be for a newly funded research program
that could develop into a public-private partnership, specifically
targeted at research to improve soybean yield and quality.”
“The Iowa Soybean Association has strong environmental and
conservation programs,” says Heck. “Under the Conservation
Title, ISA’s priority is supporting the creation of a targeted
Regional Water Enhancement Program, providing grants
to farmers for Partnership and Cooperation projects.” ISA
supports the establishment of 30 of these targeted efforts through
the Discovery Watershed Demonstration Program, focusing
on nitrogen loss in the Upper Mississippi River Basin as a national
priority.
ISA supports maintaining both the Energy and Trade Titles.
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